3 ex-PMs join forces in Britain's battle for Europe

Leaving the European Union would cost every British family 3,000 pounds (4,600 U.S. dollars) a year, it was claimed Sunday, as a new campaign to stay in was announced with three former prime ministers in the forefront.

Former Labor prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and Conservative Sir John Major are putting their political differences aside to campaign for Britons to vote Yes to continued membership of the EU in a planned national referendum.

The new "Britain Stronger in Europe Campaign" has attracted some of the best known names including business leaders, the country's former top trade union chief, celebrities and high ranking people in art, culture and education.

The launch of the campaign is the first big salvo as the "Battle for Europe" gets under way, even though Prime Minister David Cameron has yet to set a date for what will be the first national vote on EU membership since 1975. Cameron is committed to fixing a date before the end of 2017, but it could be called as early as next year.

The new campaign group is to be chaired by businessman Lord Stuart Rose, one time executive chairman of the high street retailer Marks and Spencer.

Writing in today's Sunday Times newspaper, Rose branded those wanting Britain to quit the EU as "living in fantasy land," claiming they were driven by "bravado not patriotism."

Agreeing that the EU is not perfect, Rose said the strength of the British economy is at stake.

He said: "The EU is the largest free trade area in the world with more than 500 million consumers," he said, adding that 45 percent of British exports go to Europe, adding up to 227 billion pounds (348 billion U.S. dollars) in sales last year.

He said surveys had shown Europe was worth 3,000 pounds (4,600 U.S. dollars) to every British family, a 10-to-1 return on the average 340 pounds (521 U.S. dollars) each households contributes to EU membership.

"It doesn't make sense to risk our economic future by turning our backs on our biggest trading partner," added Rose.

He also said quitting Europe would diminish Britain's influence as a global power.

"We have more control over our own destiny by staying inside the EU," claiming that leaving the EU would be a leap into the unknown for Britain.

The campaign has also been joined by Brendan Barber, former general secretary of Britain's Trades Union Congress (TUC), and Janet Beer, Vice Chancellor of the University of Liverpool.

Campaigners wanting Britain to quit have already hit back claiming Britain's influence in Brussels has diminished under Cameron's premiership.

"The UK has not managed to block a single proposal voted on by the European Council since 1996," claim the "Out" campaigners.

Last Friday German chancellor Angela Merkel was at Chequers, the Prime Minister's country residence for private talks with Cameron. This week Britain's call for a renegotiation of its membership conditions will be discussed at a crucial summit meeting in Brussels. Endit