THE only North East Labour MP to support the Brexit campaign is standing by his long-held decision.

Ronnie Campbell, who has represented Blyth since 1987, has always been an ardent Euro-sceptic and the letter signed by 25 of his Labour colleagues has brought his stance into sharp focus.

Labour North has published a letter highlighting its members support for staying in Europe as the date for the referendum looms on the horizon.

Among the MPs signed up to the stay side are Sedgefield’s Phil Wilson, Darlington’s Jenny Chapman, Hartlepool’s Iain Wright, Bishop Auckland’s Pat Glass and neighbouring MP Ian Lavery.

The letter reads: “Our membership of the EU has given our region some protection from the worst excesses of right-wing Conservative governments. It has maintained investment in our region, whilst Tories in Westminster have cut our funding, time and time again.

“Those advocating that we leave the EU are not being straight with the people of this region. They are making promises they can’t deliver on and spending money that simply wouldn’t exist. A vote to leave, together with the economic shock that would follow, would mean cuts to spending in this region, harm to our NHS and will cost North East jobs.

“A quick look at the track-records of those arguing for a Tory Brexit, Michael Gove, Boris Johnson and Iain Duncan-Smith, confirms they don’t have the best interests of our region at heart. Their policy agenda has seen our local communities hit whilst money has been moved to more affluent areas of the county. They’ve overseen the soaring use of food banks and punitive sanctions on some of the most vulnerable in society. They’ve made no secret of their aspiration to cut back the rights of working people. These aren’t politicians driven by the goal of a fairer and more just United Kingdom.

“A vote to remain is the best route to the economic growth our region needs. Let’s not turn our backs on future inward investment, new jobs and the world’s largest single market.

“Let’s put the North East first and vote to Remain next week.”

However, combative veteran socialist Mr Campbell was pulling no punches when asked about his decision to vote in favour of Brexit.

“All this scaremongering about losing workers’ rights is absolute nonsense,” said the former miner. “The Tories tried to pass the anti-union bill and it got defeated – they won’t get re-elected if they go for it again.

“I have wanted to get out of the EU since I was elected, so I haven’t changed my position in almost 30 years. As a socialist, I have stood beside Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell to call for the UK to leave the EU but they appear to have changed their minds.”

“I haven’t campaigned to leave – there is no way that I would share a platform with the likes of Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson.

“If they do win on Thursday, I defy them to try and attack workers’ rights; there is no way that that is going to happen. Although, I do fear for health and safety legislation if the country votes to leave.”