LABOUR MPs are preparing to launch a campaign calling on Britain to exit left from the European Union, the Morning Star can reveal.

A group called Labour for Britain could be launched as soon as next week to start making a distinctive socialist case for quitting the pro-business Brussels body.

Former Home Office minister Kate Hoey is likely to lead the group.

It will also include veteran Luton North MP Kelvin Hopkins, who recently penned the “European Union — a View From the Left” pamphlet.

Writing in the Star recently, Mr Hopkins said there “should be no doubt that the EU is anti-working class, anti-socialist and anti-democratic.”

His pamphlet was held up by Ms Hoey in the Commons during this week’s EU referendum debate as proof that “there are many in the labour movement” opposed to the EU.

Former cabinet secretary Graham Skinner and Birmingham Hall Green MP Roger Godsiff, one of just five Labour MPs to vote against the Tories’ “austerity charter,” have also signed up to the group.

Labour for Britain can expect to receive vocal support and funding from entrepreneur and Labour donor John Mills.

Mr Mills was the national agent for the No campaign in the 1975 EEC referendum.

He has welcomed Labour’s U-turn on its outright opposition to a referendum.

But he told the Star that there was an “evident danger” the party could lose even more core voters to Ukip by fighting alongside the Tories to keep Britain in the EU.

The EU referendum Bill progressed to committee stage this week and the poll could take place as soon as next May.

Ms Hoey was among MPs who warned on Tuesday that it would not be a “free and fair” vote if the government allowed taxpayers’ money to be spent on pro-EU propaganda.