UK's Indian-origin minister asks community to vote for Brexit

May 03, 2016 21:23

UK's senior-most Indian-origin minister Priti Patel today asked British-Indians to vote to leave the European Union in the June 23 referendum, saying the membership of politico-economic union puts barriers in trading with nations playing increasingly important role in the world.

Patel, who has a seat in the UK cabinet as minister for employment and who also serves as Prime Minister David Cameron's 'Indian Diaspora Champion', has been one of the most vocal campaigners for Brexit -- an abbreviation for "British exit" from the 28-member European Union.

"British-Indians and Asians should feel confident about voting to leave the EU in the forthcoming referendum," she said in a statement.

Using the long-pending India-EU Free Trade Agreement as an argument in favour of her 'Vote Leave' camp, she said: "While the UK remains a member of the EU, we are unable to work closely with India and other countries who are playing an increasingly important role in the world. The EU puts up barriers to trade and restrictions on imports.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Delhi Cong chief Arvinder Singh Lovely quits over alliance with AAP

In his letter to the Congress National President, Mallikarjun Kharge, Lovely said that all unanimous decisions taken by the senior Delhi Congress leaders have been unilaterally vetoed by the AICC general secretary (Delhi in-charge).

Pak boat carrying drugs worth Rs 600 cr seized off Guj coast, 14 held

The overnight operation in the Arabian Sea was carried out in coordination with the Gujarat Anti-terrorism Squad and the Narcotics Control Bureau, it said.

In Pictures - Sudharsan, Shahrukh star as GT set 201 target for RCB

IMAGES from the IPL match between Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru played in Ahmedabad on Sunday

Talks with China underway smoothly, we will never bow down: Rajnath Singh

Talks between India and China are going on smoothly and in a good environment over whatever issues there are, he said.

Samson, Rahul heat up wicketkeeper race for T20 WC

The Indian squad for the marquee event in June is set to be announced soon and Rishabh Pant is set to be drafted in as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter.