An Indian-origin campaigner, who had mounted a successful legal challenge to prevent Prime Minister Theresa May triggering UK's exit from the EU without Parliament's approval, today launched a new tactical voting drive to avert a hard Brexit.
Gina Miller, born Gina Nadira Singh in British Guiana (now Guyana) to Guyana's former Attorney General Doodnauth Singh, has raised 300,000 pounds through crowdfunding to launch her "Best for Britain" campaign.
Her latest drive is aimed at offering direct support to around 100 pro-Europe candidates and encouraging voters in the June 8 general election to vote tactically to avert a hard Brexit.
"Achieving what is best for Britain needs thoughtful responsible leadership from whoever is elected as Prime Minister and a strong effective parliament to hold that Prime Minister to account," the 51-year-old hedge fund manager said in her launch speech yesterday.
"Only tactical voting in this election can ensure that Parliament plays its full role in the future of this country," she said.
Best for Britain will seek to provide campaign support for approved candidates, as well as donating money directly to local candidates, issuing tactical voting recommendations and using technology and social media to spread its message.
"This is the most important election for a generation. It's crucial that people feel inspired to register and vote. It is especially important for young people to vote as they will be living with the consequences of the decisions taken in the next parliament for their entire lives," Miller said.
Dismissing speculation that she herself planned to stand in the election, she said she would instead be touring marginal seats to ensure the next government has no mandate to "destroy rights" as Britain leaves the European Union (EU).
"It's not about being 'in' or 'out' (of Europe). It's not about that binary choice. It's that the next government needs to connect with the people and do what's best for the country," she said.
Miller, who has revealed being targeted by pro-Brexiteers with hate messages in the past, has been dubbed as "chief Remoaner" by some sections of British media for her campaign against Brexit.
The Best for Britain launch comes close on the heels of senior pro-Remain Conservative party MPs resigned from another campaign group - Open Britain - after it had declared that it will be campaigning for tactical voting to prevent pro-Brexit MPs being re-elected.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)