TWO senior Dudley Labour councillors have announced their support for the Leave campaign as EU referendum day nears.

Councillors John Martin and Richard Body are among a small group of borough Labour politicians publicly putting themselves at odds with the party's official line to campaign for Britain to remain in the European Union.

Cllr Martin, who represents Brockmoor and Pensnett and serves as Dudley Council's cabinet member for corporate transformation and performance, told the News: "I'm voting out.

"I think as a country we would not have voted to go in on these terms so on principle I can't vote to stay in on these terms.

"There's a fundamental lack of accountability and democracy in the EU institutions which over 40 years the EU has had plenty of time to put right.

"I believe on the majority of issues, which face the country, the UK Parliament is best placed to make those decisions. It can't be right that between 60 and 75 per cent of our laws are made by unelected EU commissioners in Brussels.

"I've always believed that sovereign countries working together is the way forward. I believe in a common market - I do believe we can reach agreements without 27 member states but as a country we have narrowed our vision.

"We look to an undemocratic EU when we should have a more international view of affairs.

"We've got a long history - if we came out of Europe we would have a very positive future to look forward to.

"I agree with Tony Benn that people who execute the law should always be democratically elected and accountable. If you look at the EU - it's going in entirely the wrong direction.

"My colleagues are well aware of my views on the EU."

Councillor Richard Body, who represents Cradley and Wollescote and serves as chairman of Dudley Council's taxis committee, said: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to vote to leave. I'm loud and proud - I'm out."

He said he's voting out partly because he feels Britain's treatment of immigrants from outside the EU is grossly unfair - compared to what is on offer for those who head here from within the European Union.

Cllr Body is annoyed that his American daughter-in-law had to fork out £1,600 to live for five years in the UK with her husband - who is in the British Armed Forces - while people who can't speak English but hail from an EU country can stay free of charge and he said: "I believe in equality above all else.

"My daughter-in-law had to pay £1,600 and she's not entitled to benefits whatsoever. I have to vote for equality - you should treat everybody in the world the same. America is one of our closest allies and yet American citizens are not treated like anybody else.

"If you're from Romania or Croatia there aren't any checks - and if you commit rape and have a young child you can't be deported.

"We can only control those out of the EU, so we make it extremely hard on anybody who wants to come over here (from non-EU countries)."

He's also got concerns about immigrants from impoverished EU countries being exploited in Britain by gangmasters who are bringing people over who can't speak English and housing them in cramped conditions in cheap properties and putting them to work for a pittance.

He said: "There are Romanians dropping children in wheelie bins to get food out - that shouldn't be happening in the UK."

Councillor Pete Lowe, leader of Labour-controlled Dudley Council, said: "Labour's official line is to campaign for the in-vote but we fully respect that people have strongly held views.

"It's a good example of democracy where we've got people who fall on both sides of the argument."

He said he has yet to decide how he will vote although he admitted he's "inching towards remain" and he added: "Both camps have run quite negative campaigns based on rumour and threat as opposed to based on facts. I'm still waiting for the facts to make an informed decision."

Remain campaigners say Britain is stronger in Europe than out and that being part of the EU helps British businesses, boosts jobs and delivers lower prices for British families at the supermarket checkout, on booking flights to Europe and on phone charges when travelling in Europe.

They also say EU membership means Britain benefits from free trade agreements with 50 countries around the world – and that leaving would hit businesses, risk jobs, threaten the financial stability of families and leave Britain with less influence on the world stage.

The Britain Stronger in Europe campaign also claims Britain is safer as part of Europe and more able to work with European partners to tackle terrorism and cross border crime.