Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Tory MP who has a good reason on why she's undecided on the EU referendum

Sports minister says the only decision she would be making would be 'which breast pump to buy'

Caroline Mortimer

Monday 22 February 2016 14:17 GMT

Tracey Crouch has said she will not be deciding on Brexit just yet (Getty Images)

As Conservative MPs scramble to take sides for and against Brexit ahead of the upcoming EU referendum, one MP has reminded people she has other priorities.

Sports, tourism and health minister Tracey Crouch tweeted she would not be deciding which way she will vote in the referendum in June just yet because she had ony just had a baby.

She said the "only decision" she would be making on the Monday after renegotiation talks concluded was "which breast pump to buy":

Ms Crouch is thought to have joined an Eurosceptic campaign group to fight against further EU integration in 2011 - but her position following the new renegotiated deal is unknown.

It comes as political blog Guido Fawkes claims 52 MPs are still yet to decide which campaign to back following the announcement of the new EU deal negotiated by Prime Minister David Cameron at the weekend.

So far six cabinet ministers, several junior ministers and at least 100 Tory MPs are reported to be backing the "leave" campaign.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said he would be backing the Brexit campaign after months of deliberation when reporters showed up outside his home in north London on Sunday.

He said he had decided to back leave because the European "political project" was "in danger of getting out of proper democratic control".

Mr Johnson - who is widely believed to be planning a bid for the Tory leadership after Mr Cameron steps down - said the supreme judicial authority of the European Court of Justice is "getting out of control".

What has the EU ever done for us?

Show all 7

1/7What has the EU ever done for us?

What has the EU ever done for us?

1. It gives you freedom to live, work and retire anywhere in Europe

As a member of the EU, UK citizens benefit from freedom of movement across the continent. Considered one of the so-called four pillars of the European Union, this freedom allows all EU citizens to live, work and travel in other member states.

What has the EU ever done for us?

2. It sustains millions of jobs

A report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, released in October 2015, suggested 3.1 million British jobs were linked to the UK’s exports to the EU.

What has the EU ever done for us?

3. Your holiday is much easier - and safer

Freedom to travel is one of the most exercised benefits of EU membership, with Britons having made 31 million visits to the EU in 2014 alone. But a lot of the benefits of being an EU citizen are either taken for granted or go unnoticed.

What has the EU ever done for us?

4. It means you're less likely to get ripped off

Consumer protection is a key benefit of the EU’s single market, and ensures members of the British public receive equal consumer rights when shopping anywhere in Europe.

What has the EU ever done for us?

5. It offers greater protection from terrorists, paedophiles, people traffickers and cyber-crime

Another example of a lesser-known advantage of EU membership is the benefit of cross-country coordination and cooperation in the fight against crime.

What has the EU ever done for us?

6. Our businesses depend on it

According to 71% of all members of the Confederation of British Influence (CBI), and 67 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the EU has had an overall positive impact on their business.

What has the EU ever done for us?

7. We have greater influence

Robin Niblett, Director of think-tank Chatham House, stated in a report published last year: “For a mid-sized country like the UK, which will never again be economically dominant either globally or regionally, and whose diplomatic and military resources are declining in relative terms, being a major player in a strong regional institution can offer a critical lever for international influence.

He said there was "too much judicial activism" and "too much legislation coming from the EU".

This is despite previous statements suggesting he supported the In campaign - with him telling German newspaper De Spiegel the UK would face "penalties" if it left the EU in August last year.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies