SURREY County Council has joined 39 other Conservative district and county council leaders in urging against a Brexit.

In a letter to The Telegraph, council leaders wrote: “As leading Conservative councillors from around Britain, we take a hands-on role in promoting the economic wellbeing of our local areas. That is why we support Britain’s membership of a reformed EU.

“The special status that David Cameron has secured for Britain – particularly in continued access to the single market and protections for the City of London as the world’s financial centre – will help to ensure prosperity. Many of the 100,000 businesses that export to the single market are based in our communities, and without them many jobs – and therefore growth – would be put at risk. Our membership of the EU is a driver for foreign investment and for multinational businesses who choose to base themselves in our cities and towns.

“The EU is, of course, far from perfect. But that is why Britain needs to stay, influencing the single market and protecting our interests. Local communities are the lifeblood of our economy, and being part of a reformed EU will help them to prosper.”