Former Labour leader Ed Miliband to issue warning over EU exit

In his first major political intervention since last May's crushing General Election defeat, the former Labour leader is set to argue that social justice and progressive change can only be achieved by staying in a reformed EU.

Mr Miliband will appeal to the nine million voters who did back him in 2015 to vote "remain" on June 23, during a speech he is set to make at a Labour in Britain today.

He is set to say: "

"I want to send a very clear message to the nine million people who voted Labour at the last election: I believe the change you voted for, and still want to see in Britain, can only be achieved by us remaining in the European Union," he will say.

"And I believe that leaving would irreparably set back the cause of Labour politics."

He will say the debate must not be obscured by Conservative infighting on the issue.

"I want to say to all members of our party that we cannot sit this one out. In fact, quite the opposite.

"The last few days have shown the Conservative Party is divided, disunited and at each other's throats. But that makes it all the more important that we set out our case on Europe.

"The civil war in the Conservative Party cannot and must not obscure the central question in this referendum: are we more likely to secure social justice and progressive change inside the EU or outside.

Read more: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/national/ed-miliband-labour-must-not-sit-out-brexit-debate-1-7810044#ixzz43caLOcRf