‘BREXIT’ campaigners in Inverclyde have set out why they believe the UK should withdraw from the European Union.

The local ‘Vote Leave’ group canvassed people in Greenock’s West Blackhall Street to outline their reasons for wanting Britain to break away from Brussels ahead of the EU referendum on June 23.

Activists raised concerns over accountability of the EU and say it is imperative that elected politicians in Scotland and the UK make legislation instead of bureaucrats at the European Parliament.

Local organiser David O’Donnell, from Kilmacolm, said: “We believe it’s best for Scotland and the UK to pull out of the EU.

“The rationale behind wanting to pull out is because more and more of our laws are being made at the European Parliament by people we don’t elect and who are not familiar faces to us.

“Fair enough in Scotland the Conservative UK Government might not be popular but at least we know their names and can slag them off or whatever.

“For me there’s lots of arguments and a lot of key arguments but the fundamental reason is a democratic one.

“I think most people who campaign for Vote Leave — which is a cross-party organisation — would say that decisions should be made closer to those they affect.”

The Vote Leave Inverclyde group also have concerns about border control and feel being part of the EU is hampering international trade.

They say Britain’s membership is also too costly for local firms, including those in Inverclyde.

Mr O’Donnell said: “After that we would look to see more control over our borders and the UK should be allowed to make its own trade deals with other countries.

“It’s in the best interests of a large majority of multi-national corporations to stay in the EU but as far as the average shopkeeper and local companies they have to take on all the costs and regulations over employment, which costs them £600 million every week.”

The EU campaign has been overshadowed in recent months by the Scottish Parliament election.

It has picked up over the last few weeks following the Holyrood poll on May 5, but Vote Leave activists say a lot of people are still unaware a referendum will take place on Thursday June 23.

Mr O’Donnell, who helped launch the local campaign outside the Oak Mall last weekend, said: “We couldn’t have chosen a better day for it — the weather was scorching and the town was packed.

“We gave out plenty of leaflets and spoke to people at the stand.

“But some didn’t even know there was a referendum coming up.

“Some even mixed it up with the Scottish referendum to stay in the union. But there was a great response from the Greenock public and the table was busy all day.

“We are a group of local residents from a mixture of all political parties who are campaigning for the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and for that power to be returned to the UK and Holyrood parliaments, where the Scottish people will have more of a say over their own futures.”

Vote Leave Inverclyde plan to continue campaigning in Greenock town centre in the run-up to the referendum.

For more information contact David on 07788 236145 or email daveodo@hotmail.com.