David Cameron came to Ellesmere Port today (March 10) to deliver a staunch defence of the European Union to employees at Vauxhall Motors.

The Prime Minister visited the plant to counter claims made by anti-EU members of the Conservative Party.

Mr Cameron argued that leaving Europe would result in job losses, a fall in the price of the pound and economic uncertainty.

"If Britain was to vote to leave, we would have to enter discussions with the EU on what our trade relationship should be like," the Prime Minister told employees at the car plant. "These would be the negotiating dynamics one nation negotiating with 27 other nations.

"Britain's market of 60m people negotiating with a European market of 440m people. Britain, a country which sells 50% of its good to a European bloc, compared to a European bloc which sells only 7% of its goods to us. Now those are the facts and I'll leave it to you to judge who the balance favours."

Prime Minister David Cameron speaks to workers about the benefits of Britain staying in the EU during a visit to Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant
David Cameron outlines his beliefs on Europe to Vauxhall workers

Mr Cameron did not deny the EU was in need of reform but argued the concessions he recently won represented 'another milestone' in Britain's 'ongoing mission to make sure the European Union works for us'.

The UK will decide whether it wants to stay in or leave the EU in a referendum on June 23.

A Tory split has emerged over a potential Brexit, with a significant number of senior Tory MPs including Boris Johnson , Michael Gove and Chris Grayling saying they will be voting to leave.

They have argued the PM's recent renegotiation of its deal with Brussels did not go far enough and believe a departure would help the country reclaim its sovereignty.

A recent poll suggests Vauxhall, who employ more than 2,000 staff in Ellesmere Port, and other motor manufacturers say Britain should remain in the Europe.

Writing exclusively for The Chronicle today, Mr Cameron said he believes the UK 'will be stronger, safer and better-off inside the EU'.

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