More than 1,000 businessmen and women have put their names to the Business for Britain campaign since its formation just 18 months ago
More than 500 business leaders have signed a letter calling for all political
parties to promise a referendum on the UK’s continued membership of the
European Union by 2017.
The figures, who include hedge fund billionaire Sir Michael Hintze and banking
tycoon Henry Angest, have signed up to Business for Britain, the campaign
group that is pushing for the UK’s relationship with the EU to be torn up
and renegotiated. Its plea comes as Britain’s relationship with EU members
becomes increasingly strained over the Prime Minister’s refusal to pay a
£1.7bn budget surcharge demanded by Brussels.
The new signatories, who have taken out a double page advert in today’s Sunday
Telegraph business section mean that more than 1,000 businessmen and women
have put their names to the campaign since its formation just 18 months ago.
Business for Britain was set up in April 2013 by 500 business leaders
including John Caudwell, founder of Phones4u (Founder); Sir Stuart Rose,
former Marks & Spencer chairman; Lord Harris, founder of Carpetright; and
Lord Wolfson, the chief executive of Next.
Robert Hiscox, founder of Hiscox Insurance, and Peter Cruddas, sits on its
board, while Lord Bell, chairman of BPP Communications, Sir Rocco Forte, the
hotelier, and entrepreneur Luke Johnson sit on the campaign’s advisory board.
The group’s central demand is for EU renegotiation followed by an In/Out
referendum by 2017, which the Conservatives have pledged to hold if they are
re-elected next May. Business for Britain says this weekend’s announcement
is in stark contrast to the position of business lobby group the CBI, which
holds its conference this week.
The CBI’s leadership has constantly warned against the “uncertainty” and “political risk” of an EU referendum and the “negative consequences” of the PM’s strategy, the group says.
Business for Britain’s position also pits it against campaign group Business for New Europe, a campaign group founded by public relations executive Roland Rudd that is staunchly pro-Europe and argues that leaving the EU would have dire consequences for Britain and its long-term economic health.
Business for Britain says its stance is backed up by independent polling from YouGov, which shows that 66pc of business leaders support an EU referendum, demonstrating that the CBI “is out of touch with mainstream business opinion on this issue”, it claims.
Alan Halsall, co-chair of Business for Britain said: “The growing number of signatories represents the ever increasing business support for an EU referendum. Businesses large and small are clear that they want a new deal from the EU and that the best way to secure one is by giving the public a long overdue vote on our membership of the European Union.”
“It’s vital though that the public are provided with the best options possible, which means securing reforms …But if the EU fails to reform, then “in” at all costs is not acceptable or conducive for our long-term economic future,” Mr Halsall said.
The CBI’s leadership has constantly warned against the “uncertainty” and “political risk” of an EU referendum and the “negative consequences” of the PM’s strategy, the group says.
Business for Britain’s position also pits it against campaign group Business for New Europe, a campaign group founded by public relations executive Roland Rudd that is staunchly pro-Europe and argues that leaving the EU would have dire consequences for Britain and its long-term economic health.
Business for Britain says its stance is backed up by independent polling from YouGov, which shows that 66pc of business leaders support an EU referendum, demonstrating that the CBI “is out of touch with mainstream business opinion on this issue”, it claims.
Alan Halsall, co-chair of Business for Britain said: “The growing number of signatories represents the ever increasing business support for an EU referendum. Businesses large and small are clear that they want a new deal from the EU and that the best way to secure one is by giving the public a long overdue vote on our membership of the European Union.”
“It’s vital though that the public are provided with the best options possible, which means securing reforms …But if the EU fails to reform, then “in” at all costs is not acceptable or conducive for our long-term economic future,” Mr Halsall said.
No comments:
Post a Comment