Boris Johson (01 of12)
Open Image ModalAfter careering round like a shopping trolley, Boris Johnson eventually announced he would be backing Brexit. The London Mayor revealed his decision two days after his old university friend David Cameron concluded his negotiations with other EU leaders. Cynics believe Boris is calling for a Leave vote to further his own ambitions, but even if that were true he is still one of the few politicians who can make a real difference in this campaign. (credit:CHRIS RATCLIFFE via Getty Images)
Nigel Farage (02 of12)
Open Image ModalThe Ukip leader is arguably the country’s most well known Eurosceptic. He has spent more than 20 years fighting to get the UK out of the European Union and his political career reached a high point in 2014 when he lead his party to victory in the European Elections. Farage’s ‘I’m not like other politicians’ shtick took a blow following his “unresignation” as party leader after last year’s General Election, but those who love him, really really love him. His opponents, including those on the same side as him in the EU debate, think he is too focused on immigration – a topic which they believe will turn off many voters from backing Leave. (credit:LEON NEAL via Getty Images)
David Davis(03 of12)
Open Image ModalIn another world, David Davis would be Prime Minister and we might not be having this referendum. As it is, David Cameron defeated Davis to the Tory leadership in 2005, and the former Shadow Home Secretary is now one of the leading Eurosceptics in the Tory Party. With a background in business – he spent 17 years working for Tate and Lyle – Davis can bring real world experience to the Leave debate. His speeches are always well thought out, and his calmness will balance out some of the hysteria from others on his own side. (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Archive)
Michael Gove (04 of12)
Open Image ModalIn his own way, Michael Gove is as divisive a figure as many other eurosceptics on this list, such as Nigel Farage.Pretty much despised by the teaching profession thanks to his period as Education Secretary, he has carried his 'reforming' zeal into his new role as Justice Secretary.Gove will bring an intellectual coherence to the Leave campaign, and could have influence over the wavering band of Middle England voters. (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)
Dr Liam Fox(05 of12)
Open Image ModalOne of the key arguments from the Remain camp will be that the UK’s security will be weakened if we leave the EU. Former Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox will be the Leave campaign’s key weapon in trying to play down any fears. Dr Fox, who resigned from the Cabinet in 2011, turned down a return to Government as a junior minister to 2014, giving him the freedom to speak his mind on Europe from the backbenches. It won’t have gone unnoticed with Dr Fox that since the draft EU deal was announced by David Cameron, his support among Tory members to become the next leader of the party has shot up. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
Steve Baker(06 of12)
Open Image ModalFew inside, and even fewer outside, Westminster knew much about Tory MP Steve Baker until David Cameron kicked off his EU renegotiation last year. As co-chairman of Conservatives for Britain, Baker began coordinating the activities of Eurosceptic Tories in anticipation of this year’s referendum.The High Wycombe MP is frequently wheeled out for media appearances to not only attack the PM’s EU deal, but also explain why there are so many splits in the Leave camp.
Arron Banks(07 of12)
Open Image ModalHe’s got deep pockets and an eye for mischief, and has certainly brought some colour to the Leave campaign. The businessman first landed on the political scene in October 2014, when he donated a million pounds to Ukip and has since gone on to co-found and fund Leave.EU and Grassroots Out. The reluctance of another anti-EU campaign, Vote Leave, to merge with either of these groups has led to some spicy words from the gun-toting, diamond-mine owning millionaire. He even described Ukip’s only MP, Douglas Carswell, as “borderline autistic with mental illness wrapped in.” (credit:Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
Priti Patel(08 of12)
Open Image ModalAs you may have noticed, most of the prominent eurosceptics are what cynics could describe as ‘male, pale and stale’. But Employment Minister Priti Patel is anything but. The longstanding Eurosceptic is not afraid to speak her mind, for example on backing the death penalty, and is a fresh voice in a debate usually associated with men in grey suits.As the daughter of Ugandan Asians who came to the UK in the 1970s, the Witham MP can help blunt claims that the Leave campaign is fundamentally anti-immigration. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Archive)
Iain Duncan Smith(09 of12)
Open Image ModalAlthough yet to officially declare for Leave, the Work and Pensions Secretary is as Eurosceptic as they come. In fact, former Cabinet collegue – and one time leadership rival – Ken Clarke told the Huffington Post that even if David Cameron brought back “a statue in gold, life-sized, of Iain Duncan Smith as tribute to the nation” IDS would still back Brexit. While a recognisable name, it is unlikely that IDS would convince any wavering supporters who could not be won over by Farage, Davis and Fox to vote leave in the referendum. (credit:PA/PA Wire)
Peter Bone(10 of12)
Open Image ModalThe Tory backbencher is famed for three things: his eurosceptism; his repeated references to his wife when asking questions in Parliament; and looking a lot like Sven Goran Erikson.One of the so-called Awkward Squad of Tory MPs who have been dedicated to getting Britain out of the EU, Bone even held his own referendum on the matter last year – along with fellow Tories Tom Pursglove and Philip Hollobone. Of the 100,000 voting forms sent across East Northamptonshire, Kettering, Wellingborough and Corby, only 14,000 of them were returned – with 81% voting to leave the EU. He is one the founders of Grassroots Out and GO Movement.
Kate Hoey(11 of12)
Open Image ModalLabour MP Kate Hoey is flying the flag from the Left for Brexit. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, being anti-EU (or EEC as it was then), was the position of many in the Labour Party - including Jeremy Corbyn's political hero Tony Benn. These days, Corbyn backs the UK staying in the EU, so it is left to a handful of Labour MPs, such as Hoey, to highlight the damage the European project has wrecked on the economies of Southern Europe. (credit:LEON NEAL via Getty Images)
George Galloway(12 of12)
Open Image ModalHis unveiling as a 'special guest' at a Grassroots Out rally in Westminster prompted both a walkout and a standing ovation - which sums up the public attitude towards George Galloway.The former Labour and Respect MP believes he is the spiritual son of Left-wing eurosceptic hero Tony Benn, and sees the EU as an institution designed to benefit bankers not ordinary Europeans.But the former star of Celebrity Big Brother is likely to repel more people than he attracts to the Brexit cause. (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)