A FORMER foreign minister was on hand to launch a campaign to urge voters to leave the European Union.

Rt Hon Lord David Owen launched the Vote Leave Slough campaign on Saturday at Cippenham Community Centre, outlining his reasons for leaving the EU ahead of the referendum on June 23.

Around 50 people attended the launch. Lord Owen said: “Slough has a long history of manufacturing and jobs creation. Leaving the EU, we can cut the red-tape and bureaucracy and bring back our self-governance. It is a myth businesses will leave and jobs will be lost.

"Over the last six years, since the EU/Eurozone crisis began, the European Council and Commission have done much to destroy the very concept of the social market. They have acquiesced in levels of unemployment in EU countries not seen since the post Second World War economic collapse.

"We must protect our economy from the downward spiralling EU/Eurozone and it is also the best possible political moment to leave.

"All in all, June 23 can be the start of a rejuvenation of the UK. I urge people to Vote Leave for what history will declare was our Independence Day.”

Lea Trainer, coordinator of Vote Leave Slough, said: “It was fantastic that Lord Owen agreed to come to Slough and his passion has rubbed off on our campaign team who are energised to go out and campaign hard. Andrew Mellor [assistant coordinator] and I are both extremely confident that we have the team and drive to get the positive message for leaving the EU out there in Slough."

For more information email voteleaveslough@gmail.com

Click HERE for details of the Labour In For Britain campaign launch.