A CABINET minister will rally for Britain to leave the EU at a public meeting in Hampshire tomorrow night.

The leader of the House of Commons and former justice secretary Chris Grayling is set to address activists at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton.

Mr Grayling is a leading voice in the Vote Leave campaign and has warned that staying in the union could be “disastrous” for Britain.

He will be joined by public sector workers and business leaders including Ian Brown, chairman of Business for Britain South East.

Mr Grayling said: “Each year the South East hands over £3.52 billion to the EU, money that could be better spent on the things we know will make a difference to the lives of people in this region. We could choose to invest it supporting businesses in the region, building more affordable homes or providing extra funding for our NHS.

“Instead of having power over our own lives we have to cede control to Brussels. The South East is lucky to be one of the most developed regions of the UK, so just imagine what could be achieved if we were freed from the shackles of EU legislation and could spend our money on our priorities.”

He added: “The safer choice for both the UK and the South East on June 23 is to take control and Vote Leave.”

Hundreds of people have already registered for the event, according to Vote Leave, which was yesterday designated the official Brexit campaign.

Mr Brown, managing director of Portsmouth engineering firm Industrial Maintenance Services, said: “When we Vote Leave on June 23 we can take back control of making our trade deals from the EU. Like many other businesses in Hampshire, and indeed across the South East I think it would be better for the British government to handle negotiations on trade agreements, rather than Brussels bureaucrats.

“If we take back control and do deals with growing economies like India and China that will help businesses like mine to expand and create jobs in and around Hampshire.”

The last minister to visit Hampshire was foreign secretary Philip Hammond, who said British businesses would be stronger if Britain stays in the EU.

He said: “We should be encouraging business growth in Hampshire, whether it is a new firm or an expanding company looking to trade overseas they will be in a better position to do so by remaining in the EU.”

Tickets for tomorrow’s event, Take Control Southampton, are free. Doors open at 5.30pm. for the event which runs from 6pm to 7pm. To book a place, visit bit.ly/1SyODqF.