He will argue a vote to keep the UK at the table in Brussels will secure reforms to boost jobs, workers' rights and cut bills.
Labour's drive to get party supporters to vote to stay in the EU will be kicked off by Gordon Brown today.
With just over a week to go until the referendum, opposition figures are being put centre-stage with Prime Minister David Cameron taking a back seat to his predecessor, as polls indicate voters are being pushed towards Brexit by the Remain campaign's focus on Tory rivalries and immigration.
Few Labour MPs have broken ranks to back the Leave camp - but party leader Jeremy Corbyn has been accused of lukewarm support to the party's official stance.
Mr Brown - whose late intervention in the Scottish independence referendum was deemed an influential factor by some - will make the case for Britain to be a "leader of the European" and not leave, in a "positive" message.
The UK would be "in pole position" to champion change when it takes the rotating presidency of the EU in 2017, he will argue in a speech.
"From now until 10pm on 23 June we will not rest and I will not stop explaining why nine million Labour voters have most to gain from remaining in the EU," he will say.
"Today I am setting out a positive agenda for Labour voters - reasons why Labour voters should vote Remain and the patriotic case for remaining in Europe.
"But we shouldn't just be a member of the European Union. We must be the leader of the European Union."
Mr Brown will argue that reforms to digital, energy and service sectors could create an estimated 500,000 new jobs in Britain over a decade - and that a pooled energy strategy could cut domestic bills.
He will argue the EU's "collective clout" could force action against tax dodgers and secure better protections for workers on zero-hour contracts.
The former PM is also proposing a European solidarity fund to help communities in which healthcare, schools and public services are under pressure because of population changes.
He says Britain should also fight for a large slice of up to 16% of a €315bn (£242bn) infrastructure initiative to help industries such as steel hit by closures and restructuring.
Labour MP Gisela Stuart, who chairs Vote Leave, said "no amount of hastily cobbled together relaunches" would win back Labour supporters who she claimed have "seen through the spin of the Government".
0 comments: