Gina Miller, who spearheaded the legal fight over the government’s Brexit process, has launched a campaign to encourage tactical voting in the general election.
This comes after prime minister Theresa May announced yesterday (18 April) that she was seeking approval for a snap election on 8 June.
Ms Miller, who is an investment manager at SCM Direct, is trying to raise £10,000 through the 'Best for Britain' campaign to get UK citizens to vote against an “extreme Brexit”.
The money will be used to back parliamentary candidates and organisations who pledge to work against a hard Brexit deal.
She stressed that the money will not be used to pay staff salaries.
We will be asking MPs to not be bullied into giving the next government a blank cheque for the final deal. Gina MillerAccording to the crowdfunding page, the campaign also aims to make the Brexit deal process transparent, while ensuring the next government has no mandate to destroy the rights and relationship with Europe.
Ms Miller said she wants this campaign to be the biggest tactical voting effort in UK history, adding: “The election will be more important for the future of Britain than any in living memory; how people decide to vote is vital.
“We want to ensure that candidates who promise to do what is best for Britain in the Brexit process get the extra support they need to win.”
Last year, Ms Miller took the government to the Supreme Court, winning a legal challenge which forced Brexit legislation to be passed through parliament.
The SCM founder said: “If the deal the next government negotiates doesn't match up to our current terms, MPs should do what is Best for Britain and reject it.
“We will be asking MPs to pledge to keep an open mind and not be bullied into giving the next government a blank cheque for the final deal.”
Eloise Todd, director of the Best for Britain campaign, said the movement will support different parties and organisations, adding: "We are not party political.
"We stand for democracy in this country and a constitution that respects proper balance of powers and doesn't railroad the country into an extreme Brexit.”
katherine.denham@ft.com
