LOCAL politicians are split on whether Britain should remain in the European Union ahead of this summer's referendum.

Prime Minister David Cameron announced on Saturday that the promised in/out referendum on Britain's membership of the EU will take place on June 23.

Mr Cameron stated that leaving the EU would threaten Britain's "economic and national security" following his marathon negotiating session to secure a new deal for the UK.

He confirmed that individual ministers would be free to campaign on either side of the debate.

West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin told the Echo that he will be campaigning alongside the Prime Minister to remain in the EU.

He said: "For three decades, I have been arguing that Britain's national interest lies in being part of a single market while not being part of the single currency, the European army, the border-less Schengen area or any of the other elements of an emerging federal state.

"The Prime Minister has negotiated a hugely significant agreement, which will substantially change the UK’s relationship to the EU.

"The agreement will allow the UK to continue to benefit from the economic advantages of participating in the free trade single market without being dragged into a federal state."

"The people now rightly have the opportunity to make a decision about whether to remain on this basis. I will be voting to remain.

South Dorset MP Richard Drax, however, will be campaigning on the side of "out".

He said: "From the beginning, the Prime Minster was not asking for nearly enough, not least on immigration which remains a huge problem.

"I shall be campaigning to leave the EU because I believe the country must be in charge of its own destiny, has to have control over our sovereignty, our democracy and our freedom."

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill is also backing calls to leave the EU.

“I have been very open about my grave concerns with regard to the security of our sea and airports and the movement of people across our borders,” said Mr Underhill.

“I am also worried about Britain's sovereignty from a policing and judicial point of view. I do not believe the new proposals deal with these issues."

Key ministers campaigning for an "in" vote include Chancellor George Osborne, Home Secretary Theresa May, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Business Secretary Sajid Javid, International Development Secretary Justine Greening and Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin.

Ministers who have stated their desire to leave the EU include Justice Secretary Michael Gove, Work and Pensions Secretary Ian Duncan Smith, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale and Leader of the Commons, Chris Grayling.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson will also join the "out" campaign.

Mr Drax said that he was "delighted" that the Mayor of London had decided to join the campaign to leave.

He said: "Boris has been in a difficult place for a while, torn between lots of things.

"I am delighted that such a well known individual who clearly resonates with many of the electorate has decided to campaign to leave.

"It will be a big boost to the leave campaign."