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Survey finds that Southport
firms "want to remain in EU!"
ACCORDING to Southport accountancy and
business advisory firm Moore and Smalley, who conducted a poll, have found out
that almost ¾ of businesses believe the economy will be stronger if Britain
remains in the European Union. Of the business owners surveyed, 56 per cent said
they wanted to stay in the EU if Britain could secure key reforms, and a further
16% wanted Britain to "remain a member at all costs."
However, almost 1 in 5 (18%), said they believed that leaving the EU was the
best strategy to help Britain's economy. Just eight per cent said a straight
in/out referendum, without attempts at EU reform, was the best option. James
Treadwell, partner at Moore and Smalley, said:- "Britain's membership of
the European Union has been a divisive issue for decades and, with a referendum
due to be held on the issue within two years, it remains a key consideration for
the business community. The EU is the Britain's key trade partner and there are
fears an exit could shrink the UK economy on the back of weaker trade and
reduced inward investment, as well as reducing our export markets and making
imports more expensive. However, other leading business figures have argued that
an EU exit could actually benefit Britain as we would be able to negotiate as
one country rather than being one of 28 nations." Prime minister, David
Cameron, has pledged to push hard for EU reform before holding a referendum on
Britain's membership before the end of 2017. Since being elected in May, he's
been on a round of diplomatic visits to other member states to secure support
for his reform plans and he formally set out Britain's proposals at a meeting of
EU leaders on 25 June 2015. James added:- "The EU question is one
that is causing uncertainty for businesses and many business owners I speak to,
particularly those who trade with Europe, agree that the quicker it is resolved
the better. There's a danger that the EU issue just hangs over the economy like
a dark cloud for the next few years and that could damage business growth." |
