EU referendum: Nigel Farage plays down talk of split on the “Out” campaign
Leader of the UK Independence Party Nigel Farage has played down concerns of a split on the "Out" side of the European Union referendum after two differing groups launched their campaigns last week.
Vote Leave and Leave.EU both launched last week, but only one organisation will be chosen by the Electoral Commission, which regulates party and election finance as well as setting standards for elections, as the official side that will be entitled to broadcast campaign speeches, receive a publicly funded grant of up to £600,000 and send a leaflet to each household.
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Leave.EU was is an umbrella group, according to Farage, and was founded by Ukip donor Arron Banks, while Vote Leave is a cross-party campaign group formed to push for Britain's exit from the European Union (EU) has launched, including Conservatives for Britain, Labour Leave and Business for Britain.
Speaking to BBC's Sunday Politics, Farage said:
I support both [Leave.EU and Vote Leave]. I listened to what Vote Leave had to say last week, they're a Westminster based group making business arguments. That is of value.
Leave.EU is an entirely different thing, aiming at a different audience. They are talking about the ability to control our country and borders. They're reaching out to millions of ordinary people. These are two campaigns going for different market audiences. I don't see them as contradictory but complimentary.
While Farage said his view was that he will support both and avoid partisanship, tensions emerged when Banks said Vote Leave has no idea how to reach a wider audience.
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ICM polling last week showed that if David Cameron got a deal on the freedom of people, 52 per cent of people who would to stay as part of the EU, while if he doesn't only 36 per cent would vote to remain in the EU.