GREEN MP Caroline Lucas warned yesterday that the debate over Britain’s membership of the European Union is being dominated by big business.

Along with left MPs and campaigners, Ms Lucas has formed a new group — Another Europe Is Possible — to make the “progressive case” to remain in the EU.

Speaking at its launch in east London last night, she argued that Britain should stay in the EU to “fight for meaningful reform.”

But on the forthcoming referendum campaign, she said: “The debate about Britain’s place in the EU must not be left to big business.

“We need new voices in the debate and a more inspiring case for a Remain vote — one that’s about people, not just profits.

“The many social and environmental benefits of Britain’s EU membership must get a fair public hearing, alongside financial and economic arguments.”

The comments could be viewed as a criticism of Britain Stronger In, the cross-party Remain campaign.

Ms Lucas sits on its board along with former TUC general secretary Brendan Barber, but it is led by former M&S boss turned Tory peer Stuart Rose.

Fellow Tory peer Karren Brady, who this week rubbed shoulders with millionaires at the Tories’ secretive Black & White Ball, is another leading figure.

The Star has also revealed how the Labour Leave group split from the umbrella Vote Leave campaign at the weekend after being sidelined by a hard-right clique.

Labour’s shadow equalities minister Cat Smith came out in support of Another Europe Is Possible yesterday despite reservations over the EU’s direction.

“At the moment it operates too much in the interests of big business, not ordinary working people,” she said.

“I would like to see an EU where workers come first, not big money.”

But Labour Leave general secretary Brendan Chilton said: “The EU doesn’t serve the interests of ordinary working people in Britain or any other member state.

“Labour voters in this country are waking up to this fact and socialists across Europe are also starting to ask whether this is the right way forward for them.”