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Kinnock and Patten join pro-Europe campaign
Having left the European Commission, Neil Kinnock and Chris Patten have signed up to back the Britain in Europe campaign.
The two former commissioners joined the campaign group's board as part of a series of top level changes.
Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge, who has chaired Britain in Europe since its creation in 1999, stepped down from his position.
He is to be replaced by Anthony Nelson, a former Conservative MP who stood down at the 1997 election and defected to Labour in 2001.
The new board members also include former EU trade commissioner Lord Brittan, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Nick Clegg and Sir Stephen Wall, a former adviser to the prime minister.
Representatives from areas such as marketing and public affairs are also joining the board.
Their expertise is likely to be needed as both the "yes and "no" campaigns prepare for the referendum on the European constitution.
Promotion
Nelson said he was looking forward to his new role.
"Britain in Europe will have a key role in the run-up to the referendum on the new European constitution in explaining clearly how the new treaty will protect and promote Britain's interests in Europe," he said.
"The case for the new constitutional treaty is that it will create jobs, prosperity, trade and investment in a global Europe.
"The new market of 455 million people presents a great opportunity for British skills and capital but we need to sign up to the new treaty which has been ably negotiated by our government to protect as well as promote our interests.
"British business needs a global Europe and one that, through continuing reforms, opens markets and extends competition."
French backing
The pro-Europe campaign was also boosted on Thursday by news that the French socialist party is set to back the constitution in a referendum conceded by president Jacques Chirac.
Opposition to the constitution by the party could have left its ratification in serious doubt.
"We welcome this vote of support for the treaty by France's biggest political party," said Lucy Powell, campaign director of Britain in Europe.
"It demonstrates that both the centre-right and the centre-left can unite in the common cause of building a better Europe and augurs well for a 'yes' vote in France's referendum on the treaty next year.
"A 'yes' vote in France and other EU countries would leave Britain isolated at the margins of Europe if British people made the mistake of voting 'no'."
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