In The Press
BNE in the Telegraph – British business leaders: Sceptics putting politics before economics
20 May 2013
Let's take a closer look at that story in the Independent this morning (see 07.05) about some of Britain's most eminent business leaders accusing Eurosceptic MPs of putting "politics before economics" and abandoning the national interest in their calls for Britain to leave the EU. Sir Richard Branson, Lloyds chairman Sir Win Bischoff and Sir Martin Sorrell of WPP have written a letter to …
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BNE in the Times – No 10 fears UKIP may win Euro election
20 May 2013
Downing Street is conceding that the UK Independence Party could come first in next year’s European elections. A senior figure at No 10 said privately that it was now a “reasonable assumption” that Nigel Farage’s party would top the poll in 2014, despite repeated attempts by David Cameron to stop the loss of Tory votes …
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BNE in City AM – EU row deepens as Tory disorder sees Ukip rising
20 May 2013
DAVID Cameron was left fighting opposition on all sides yesterday as Tory divisions widened over Europe and the gay marriage debate. As the Prime Minister faced criticism from Tory activists and former ministers, a group of pro-EU business leaders made their latest call for Britain to stay in Europe even as the Eurosceptic UK Independence …
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BNE in the Daily Mail - Every family would be up £3,500 worse off if Britain left the EU
20 May 2013
Every family will be up to £3,500 worse off if Britain leaves the European Union, business leaders including the heads of BT, Shell and Eurostar warned today. Eurosceptic Tories calling for withdrawal from Brussels are accused of putting ‘politics before economics’, with EU membership worth between £31billion and £92billion a year to the UK. Virgin …
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BBC: Eurosceptic MPs attacked by business leaders
20 May 2013
Those calling for the UK to leave the EU are "putting politics before economics", business leaders have said. In a letter to the Independent, figures from BT, Shell, Lloyds Banking Group and Deloitte, estimated membership was worth up to £92bn a year to Britain. But the 19 signatories accepted reforms were needed and urged David …
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The Telegraph: Economic case to stay in EU is overwhelming – say business leaders
20 May 2013
The intervention comes amid simmering tensions over Britain's EU membership in Westminster, where the Conservatives have been forced to rush out a draft law setting out plans for an "in/out" referendum to placate restive Tory backbenchers, in the face of fierce Liberal Democrat opposition. A raft of influential business leaders including Sirs Richard Branson, Roger Carr and …
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The Independent: British business – We need to stay in the EU or risk losing up to £92bn a year
20 May 2013
Some of Britain’s most successful and eminent business leaders have accused Eurosceptic MPs of putting “politics before economics” and abandoning the national interest in their calls for Britain to leave the European Union. In a letter to The Independent, the group issues a trenchant riposte to politicians who have argued that Britain’s economic interest would be …
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Letter from business leaders in the Independent – The economic case to stay in EU is overwhelming
20 May 2013
The economic case to stay in the EU is overwhelming. The creation of the Single Market was instigated by Britain, and is now the world’s largest trading bloc, containing half a billion people with a GDP of £10 trillion. To Britain, membership is estimated to be worth between £31bn and £92bn per year in income …
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BNE in the FT - Business must make case for Europe, Sir Roger Carr
15 May 2013
Business ‘must make case’ for Europe Business needs to make a strong, fact-based case for Britain staying in the EU if the country is not to stumble inadvertently towards the exit, the CBI president said. Sir Roger Carr expressed optimism that David Cameron’s aim of reaching agreement on reform with Britain’s EU partners before a potential referendum by 2017 was …
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BNE in the Guardian – Restrict EU immigrants’ access to benefits, says pro-Europe group
7 May 2013
Pro-European business leaders responded on Tuesday to the surge in support for Ukip by proposing to restrict EU immigrants' access to benefits, including a three-month qualification period for jobseeker's allowance and removal of child benefit for offspring not living in the UK. The Business for New Europe group admitted there was "a massive credibility gap" with the public …
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BNE in City AM – Business chiefs: UK gains from migrants
7 May 2013
IMMIGRATION produces huge benefits to the UK, a coalition of business leaders will argue today, urging politicians to “fight the myths” that provoke anti-migration sentiment among voters. Between 2004 and 2009, migrants from the new EU member states added £5bn to the UK economy, the group says, noting that incomers are net contributors to the …
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BNE Director in European Voice – We must address political debate on immigration
1 May 2013
At the end of this year, transitional restrictions in the European Union on job-seekers from Bulgaria and Romania will expire for good. From the start of next year, seven years after those two countries joined the Union, their citizens will be free to seek work and to claim benefits in any other EU member …
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BNE Chairman in City A.M. – Engage with Europe
23 April 2013
Businesses want a reformed, competitive, liberalised Europe, and the facts overwhelmingly support Britain staying in. Almost half our trade, worth £400bn, is with Europe. The benefits of the single market, which we estimate has added about £37bn to UK GDP since 1992, outweigh the costs. It must be extended to include energy, digital and transport; …
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Roland Rudd – BNE Chairman – stresses the need for multilateral EU reform in The Daily Telegraph
22 April 2013
A group of 500 business leaders have called on the Coalition to negotiate a better deal for Britain with Brussels. David Cameron has pledged to claw back powers and then offer voters a choice of staying in the European Union in a referendum by the end of 2017, if the Conservatives are returned to power …
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BNE in The London Evening Standard – French ski rules are protectionist
5 April 2013
The arrest of British ski-instructor Alex Casey in Megève in France is a graphic illustration of the single market not working as it should. Under EU Law, equivalent qualifications should be recognised automatically unless there is a “substantial difference” in training in the host country and destination. In reality the situation is that the British …
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BNE Director on Sky’s Jeff Randall Live
21 March 2013
Director of BNE–Philip Souta–speaks to Jeff Randall regarding the EU Council Summit; the continuing policy of austerity in the EU, and the rejection by Parliament of the 2013-2020 Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF). Watch here
BNE in City AM - Even I, as a pro-European, am against an EU cap on bankers’ bonuses
5 March 2013
Roland Rudd The latest EU rules to cap bank bonuses have the potential to severely damage a strategic sector, and one that Britain leads in Europe. I say this both as a passionate European and believer in European reform. The problem lies in the way the proposals have been drawn up. As they stand, they …
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BNE in The Independent - EU referendum: A rabbit from a hat… or is it just a dead duck?
24 January 2013
The Prime Minister’s aggressive European gambit has prompted a furious debate about Britain’s future. Here, influential figures tell The Independentwhether he’s done the right thing... Guy Verhofstadt, former Belgian pm David Cameron’s promise to hold a referendum regardless of the state of negotiations over a revised EU treaty is playing with fire. He can control neither …
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BNE in Reuters - Business warns Cameron’s EU gamble could strangle economy
23 January 2013
Leading British business figures warned Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday that his plan for an in-out referendum on the European Union membership was a risky gamble that could damage the economy and throttle foreign investment. Speaking after Cameron's call for a vote by 2017, business leaders in London and at the World Economic Forum in Davos said Britain's $2.5 trillion economy would face uncertainty …
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BNE in City AM - Would leaving the European Union be a positive move for businesses in Britain?
18 January 2013
NO Roland Rudd Walking away from Europe – the UK’s biggest trading partner – would damage British business for decades. The UK is one of the most attractive EU countries to investors, but this would quickly cease to be the case if we left, as our access to the single market would be lost. Last …
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BNE on BBC News website - Business leaders urge Cameron not to ‘risk’ EU membership
9 January 2013
Ten of the UK's leading business figures have warned David Cameron not to put membership of the European Union "at risk" in negotiations over the country's relationship with Brussels. The prime minister has said the UK is "perfectly entitled" to demand change. But leaders including Virgin's Sir Richard Branson and BT's Sir Michael Rake say …
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The Telegraph - Why it’s right to stay in the EU
9 January 2013
By Damian Reece Business has not always got it right on Europe. Many high profile names campaigned to take us into the single currency which would have been a disaster. But when it comes to our wider relationship with the European Union, business leaders are correct in warning that we need to be in, rather than out, …
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BNE in The Telegraph - Business leaders’ EU warning to David Cameron
9 January 2013
David Cameron’s plans to renegotiate Britain’s European Union membership are doomed to failure and could hurt the British economy, business leaders have warned. The heads of some of Britain’s biggest companies – including BT and Virgin – have signed an open letter saying that attempting a major change in Britain’s relationship with the EU could …
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Financial Times - Business leaders warn Cameron on EU terms
9 January 2013
By George Parker in London and Peter Spiegel in Dublin Leading British business figures have warned David Cameron that he risks destabilising the economy inadvertently taking Britain out of the EU, if he tries to seek a “wholesale renegotiation of our EU membership”. Mr Cameron will this month set out in a speech in the Netherlands his …
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Letter in the Financial Times - Britain needs to lead in a strong, reformed EU
9 January 2013
From Mr Roland Rudd, Sir Richard Branson and others. Sir, We welcome David Cameron’s decision to focus on the EU’s importance to Britain in his planned speech later this month. The EU remains home to half our exports and is the most powerful trading bloc in the world. Other EU member states are the main …
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BNE Chairman in Observer: No power, no influence and we would still have to pay the bill
16 December 2012
No power, no influence and we would still have to pay the bill Britain would be greatly diminished if it left the EU Roland Rudd, Sunday 16th December 2012 Norway is a country of exceptions. During summer, the sun never sets. In winter, people travel from all over the world to see the northern lights. …
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Scotsman - No ‘fast-tracked’ application for EU membership after independence, warns think tank
12 December 2012
Jose Manuel Barroso: warned that Scotland would have to re-apply By SCOTT MACNAB in the SCOTSMANPublished on Tuesday 11 December 2012 10:40 SCOTLAND will not get an “easy ride” or “fast-tracked” application for EU membership after independence and negotiations could last more than two years, a leading Euro think tank has warned. • EC President Barroso said …
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BNE Chairman in the Times: Britain’s future as an EU member
4 December 2012
The following letter from Roland Rudd, Chairman of Business for New Europe appeared in The Times on 04 December 2012. Britain’s future as an EU member Sir, In “The sceptics have won. Now for a new Europe” (Opinion, Dec 3), Lord Leach makes the case that there could be a new multispeed Europe with Britain remaining …
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BNE in New York Times: U.K. Backers of Europe Want Business to Speak Up
4 December 2012
U.K. Backers of Europe Want Business to Speak Up By STEPHEN CASTLE Published: December 3, 2012 LONDON — The chairman of the London Stock Exchange, Chris Gibson-Smith, simply does not have the time to speak. Christopher North, the boss of Amazon in Britain, is too busy as well. And Charles Dunstone, the founder of mobile …
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BNE in Evening Standard - Tony Blair: Britain cannot ‘fall away’ from European union
28 November 2012
Britain cannot afford to "fall away" from the European Union at a time when the continent faces a moment of "existential crisis" due to the global shift in power from west to east, former prime minister Tony Blair will warn today. In a speech to a business audience in London, Mr Blair will say that …
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BNE on BBC News website - Euroscepticism like a virus, warns Blair
28 November 2012
By Iain Watson Tony Blair spoke to the pro-EU Business for New Europe' group, but his intended audience was far wider. The venue was Chatham House but - unusually for the frank meetings which take place in this plush pile in London's St James's - his comments were attributable and on the record. So his …
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Daily Mail - Blair says being Eurosceptic is like a virus and the Tories have ‘got it really bad’
28 November 2012
By Matt Chorley Tony Blair today claimed euroscepticism is like a ‘virus’ which has spread through the Conservative party. The former Prime Minister said the Tory ‘has got it really bad’ as he warned of the dangers of abandoning Brussels. In a major speech in central London, Mr Blair admitted Britain could survive outside the …
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Independent - Withdrawal from Europe would be ‘monumental error’, says Tony Blair
28 November 2012
By Andrew Woodcock Tony Blair warned today that it would be “a monumental error of statesmanship” for Britain to turn its back on Europe. And the former Prime Minister said that David Cameron's policy of renegotiating the UK's position in the European Union would pave the way for withdrawal. Leaving the EU would be "politically …
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The Telegraph - Tony Blair: David Cameron’s position on Europe risks ‘monumental error’
28 November 2012
By Rowena Mason David Cameron is in danger of making a "monumental error" over Europe as promising to forge a new relationship is leading towards the exit door, Tony Blair has warned. The former prime minister said politicians who want to re-negotiate the terms of the Britain's EU membership probably want to go all the way …
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Chicago Tribune - UK’s Blair says EU exit would be “monumental error”
28 November 2012
LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister David Cameron risks committing a monumental error that would threaten Britain's status as a world power if he allows rising anti-European Union sentiment to spiral into an EU exit, former leader Tony Blair said on Wednesday.Britain's tortured relations with Europe have shot to the top of the political agenda in …
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The Guardian - Tony Blair’s stark warning if Britain ‘falls away’ to EU margins
28 November 2012
By Nicholas Watt, chief political correspondent Britain cannot afford to "fall away" from shaping the future of the EU,Tony Blair will say on Wednesday as he issues a warning to David Cameron of the dangers of slipping to the margins in Europe. In a speech in London on the future of Europe, the former prime minister will say …
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The New York Times - Blair Urges Britain to Retain Place in European Union
28 November 2012
By Stephen Castle LONDON — Tony Blair, the former British prime minister, entered the fraught debate about his country’s place in the European Union on Wednesday with a speech arguing that the bloc was more important than ever because of the global shifting of power to emerging economies. Britons have rarely shown much enthusiasm for the idea of …
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The Times - Tony Blair argues against ‘edging towards exit’
28 November 2012
Roland Watson, Political Editor Britain may want to join the euro in five years’ time, Tony Blair said today as he warned that the country would be poorer and weaker outside the European Union. The former Prime Minister accepted that Britain could operate in the global economy after severing ties with the EU. But he warned …
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BNE Chairman in the Telegraph - Britain needs the EU
28 November 2012
SIR - Tony Blair is giving a speech this morning to business leaders arguing UK disengagement from the European Union would be a disaster. Jeff Randall (Comment, November 26) suggests that this argument was like damaged goods. Three quarters of business leaders and the leaders of the main political parties disagree with him. First, it …
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BNE in The Independent - Blair: ‘Britain must stay in EU’
25 November 2012
By John Rentoul Tony Blair is to mount a staunch defence of Britain's membership of the EU this week, insisting that it is vital to the future economic prosperity of the country.The former PM, in a speech in London organised by the pro-European group Business for New Europe, will outline why Britain needs to be at …
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BNE in The Observer - Tony Blair’s passionate plea: we must stay at heart of EU or face disaster
24 November 2012
By Toby Helm Tony Blair will make an impassioned intervention in the debate over Britain's future in Europe, warning that any disengagement from the European Union's "top table" would be a disaster for the UK's economy and its power on the world stage. With more senior Tories backing moves that could see the UK leaving the EU mainstream, …
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BNE Director in the New York Times - Business Sees Risk of British Exit From EU
19 November 2012
By Stephen Castle The leader of Britain’s biggest business lobby on Monday issued a stark warning of the growing risk that the country would leave the European Union and urged often-subdued British business executives who do favor staying in the bloc to speak out in a robust riposte to increasingly vocal Euroskeptics. In a clear illustration that business …
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BNE Chairman in the FT - Focus on banking union not a British veto
18 October 2012
Letter from Roland Rudd, BNE Chairman, published in the Financial Times, 18th October 2012: Sir, Wielding a veto over a European banking union would be hugely damaging to the eurozone, and bad for the UK and global economy. The UK’s priority at the European Council this week should be to help the eurozone put in …
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BNE Chairman in the Evening Standard - The Justice and Home Affairs opt-out
16 October 2012
Letter from Roland Rudd, Chairman, Business for New Europe published in the Evening Standard, 16th October 2012: IT is odd that the Government would risk endangering public safety by announcing its intention to opt out of the European Arrest Warrant. Many fraudsters and criminals convicted of other offences have been brought …
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BNE Chairman Roland Rudd on BBC’s Newsnight - Future of the Eurozone
19 September 2012
Speaking on BBC's Newsnight on the 19 September 2012, Roland Rudd stated the current strategy in Brussels was working and he praised Mario Draghi, Head of the European Central Bank, for the “brave” decisions he has made over the last number of months. Speaking alongside Marta Andreasen, UK Independence Party MEP, and Professor Luis Garicano, of London …
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Sunday Express - Scotland’s EU stalemate could spell the end of Salmond’s master plan
16 September 2012
By Ben Borland The row that ignited at Holyrood last week over whether or not an independent Scotland would have to reapply to join the European Union may seem like just another storm in a Royal Mile teacup. But if you look beyond the bluster, bombast and badinage of Alex Salmond, Johann Lamont and co, it soon becomes apparent that this is an …
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The Wall Street Journal - Europe Must Complete its Single Market
10 September 2012
By Simon Nixon Mario Draghi has not solved the euro crisis. The European Central Bank president has simply done what central bankers do and bought Europe's politicians more time. His Outright Market Transactions program is an attempt to solve the conundrum that threatened to blow the euro zone apart: How to support those countries too …
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BNE Chairman in the Telegraph - Britain can still profit from global trade while remaining in the EU
28 August 2012
For the first time in decades, Britain may be trading more with countries outside the European Union than within it. According to a report by the CEBR, figures for the three months to May showed 50.4pc of UK exports went outside the EU. Exports to the EU were down 7.3pc and exports outside it were …
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BNE Chairman in City A.M. - Why Britain must not veto banking union for Europe
17 July 2012
DAVID Cameron risks facing his own personal European groundhog day. A watershed European summit last month advanced proposals for a Eurozone banking union. Final approval is due in December. The aim is to break the fatal link between euro area banks and sovereigns. Less painful for Germany than eurobonds, but seen as credible by financial …
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Financial Times - No escape from the Europe debate
10 July 2012
By Brian Groom British business is slowly waking to an issue it would rather not face: the future of the country’s place in Europe. The referendum debate has so far been seen as one for politicians. Companies are more worried by the economy and the euro crisis, but they may not be able to duck …
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Financial Times - UK business groups hedge their bets
3 July 2012
By Brian Groom and George Parker Uncertainty over the UK’s future relationship with the EU threatens to damage the economy, pro-Europe business leaders warned on Monday as corporate Britain reacted nervously to David Cameron’s decision to float the prospect of a referendum. None of the main business organisations would come off the fence over whether …
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BNE Chairman in The Times - Does Britain need a referendum on Europe?
8 June 2012
Sir, The last thing the UK needs at this time is a referendum on our membership of the EU, which would create damaging uncertainty. Uncertainty is bad for business at the best of times. During a double-dip recession, it’s much worse. There is even less reason to call for a referendum at a time when …
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The Herald Scotland - Claims SNP case on Scots EU status destroyed
12 March 2012
THE SNP Government's case that an independent Scotland would automatically accede to the European Union has been "destroyed" by a pro-Europe think-tank's in-depth report into the issue, it was claimed last night. Business for New Europe acknowledged the process of an independent Scotland joining the EU was "unclear" because none of the current treaties covered …
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The Scotsman - Scottish independence, SNP could lose in referendum vote, minister concedes
9 March 2012
link to article covering BNE's report, In Depth: Scottish Independence and EU Accession. By EDDIE BARNES SCOTLAND faces years more constitutional navel-gazing even if it decides not to back independence, a senior SNP minister has warned, in a new attack on the uncertainty surrounding the pro-Union parties’ stance on devolution. Raising the scenario of defeat in the planned 2014 …
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The Times - Doubts over Scots’ EU accession route
9 March 2012
link to article (£), covering BNE's report, In Depth: Scottish Independence and EU Accession. Angus Macleod, Scotland Correspondent Alex Salmond’s claim that an independent Scotland would automatically become a member of the EU is “premature and potentially misleading”, according to a high-powered group of pro-Europe business figures. The Business for New Europe group says that for an independent Scotland …
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Daily Express - EU costs ‘will soar if SNP wins independence campaign’
9 March 2012
link to article covering BNE's report, In Depth: Scottish Independence and EU Accession. By Paul Gilbride SCOTS could have to pay five times more for EU membership if Alex Salmond wins his independence campaign, a think tank warned yesterday. Lobby group Business for New Europe claimed an independent Scotland would lose out on the UK’s rebate if it had to …
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BNE Scotland Paper in the Perthshire Advertiser, Kilmarnock Standard and Scottish Press and Journal
9 March 2012
Local coverage about BNE's report In Depth: Scottish Independence and EU Accession PERSHIRE ADVERTISER and the KILMARNOCK STANDARD March 8, 2012 A pro-Europe business group has raised its concern over the unanswered questions facing Scottish membership of the EU after independence. A briefing paper by the independent reform body Business for New Europe said it is unclear …
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BNE Director Phillip Souta in City A.M. on the Greek bailout
22 February 2012
By Julian Harris Anger in Greece has escalated over the country’s deal with its lenders – an agreement that will require changes to the Greek constitution, and see a foreign “task force” stationed in Athens to oversee conditional reforms and spending cuts. Support for the main coalition parties, which led negotiations over the deal, has …
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BNE Deputy Director in Public Service Europe: Poll shows British business supports UK in EU
14 February 2012
By Paul O'Hagan, BNE Deputy Director It is now February and the dust has begun to settle following the British Prime Minister's veto on a new European Union treaty at the end of last year. In Westminster, the focus has now naturally shifted back to more domestic issues - namely NHS reform, gender quotas on …
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BNE Chairman in The Times - Britain’s lack of foreign language speakers is costing the economy
30 January 2012
By Oliver Moody Britain’s lack of foreign language speakers costs the economy up to £17 billion a year, a report suggests. The country is losing its standing in the world because many people cannot communicate adequately outside their own language, according to research by the Education and Employers Taskforce for Collins Language. It adds …
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BNE Chairman in the Economist Debates: The UK and the EU
12 January 2012
Economist Debates: The UK and the EU With the problems facing the common currency, it is easy for us in Britain to forget that the success of the euro zone—and for that matter the European Union—is essential for our recovery and future prosperity. The figures speak for themselves. According to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, …
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BNE in Die Welt - “Nicht ohne die Briten - Not without the Brits”
21 December 2011
By Michael Stürmer, Chief Correspondent, Die Welt Seit dem Brüsseler Gipfel geht die Insel wieder auf Distanz zum Kontinent. Das ist gefährlich. Denn wenn Großbritannien draußen bleibt, gibt es kein im Weltmaßstab handlungsfähiges Europa Brüssel vor elf Tagen: Es sollte der Krisengipfel sein, der alle Krisengipfel beendet. Stattdessen sieht es so aus, als koste der …
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BNE in the Daily Mail - “3m jobs at risk if Britain does not stay at the heart of Europe”
20 December 2011
By Kerry McQueeney Twenty leading businessmen today warned that if Britain does not stay at the heart of Europe, three million jobs could be lost. Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson and British Telecom chairman Sir Mike Rake were among the leading business figures who urged the Government to seize opportunities to 're-engage in the decision-making …
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BNE in the Daily Telegraph - “Staying outside EU risks millions of jobs, warn 20 UK businessmen”
20 December 2011
By Christopher Hope, Senior Political Correspondent, The Daily Telegraph In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, 20 businessmen say it is "imperative" that Britain has a place on the negotiating table when major decisions about Europe are taken. Signatories including Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin tycoon, and Sir Mike Rake, the chairman of British Telecom, …
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BNE Letter in the Daily Telegraph - “It is vital that the Government remains at the heart of Europe”
20 December 2011
SIR – We welcome the Government’s decision to take part, albeit as an observer, in the new EU treaty negotiations, following the agreement on December 9. It is imperative that we are not outside when important decisions are taken, and as opportunities arise over the coming months for Britain to re-engage in the decision-making process …
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BNE Chairman in the Times - “What’s it like out in the cold? Just ask Norway.”
19 December 2011
Norway has many qualities to commend it, including a beautiful rugged coastline and telemark skiing. But its relationship with the European Union is not one of them. A growing clamour in Britain says that we should be more like Norway by enjoying the benefits of the single market but without Brussels diktats. Sadly, the attractions …
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BNE Chairman in City A.M. - “London needs EU strategy that does not lead to it being sidelined”
19 December 2011
Fear is stalking parts of the city that Brussels is determined to undermine its competitiveness. But ask any senior banker or businessman what particular measure it is that Britain needs saving from, they draw a blank. The implementation of a Financial Transactions Tax (FTT) in the EU alone, and not on a global level, would …
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BNE in The Independent - “Coalition partners put a brave face on their battered relationship”
15 December 2011
After a torrid few days, Nick Clegg began yesterday among friends. He arrived at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London's Knightsbridge at 7.45am and had time, appropriately, for croissants and coffee as he prepared to address the Business for New Europe group. Like him, the organisation is for the European Union and against David …
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Roland Rudd in The Independent - “UK still has a role in the EU, says Angela Merkel”
14 December 2011
Suggestions that David Cameron has left Britain isolated in Europe by deploying his veto were downplayed today by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who insisted the UK will continue to play an important role in the EU. Mr Cameron told the House of Commons he would "make no apology for standing up for Britain" by blocking …
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BNE in the Daily Telegraph - “Nick Clegg says UK will face ‘intemperate’ Europe with calm”
14 December 2011
The Deputy Prime Minister has promised Britain will negotiate with Europe in a "calm and reasoned" manner in the face of "intemperate remarks" from Brussels yesterday. Nick Clegg told business leaders that he was "absolutely determined" to re-engage with Europe, as British jobs depend on the single market. The Deputy Prime Minister said he spoke …
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BNE in the Daily Mail - ‘We need to re-engage with Europe,’ declares Clegg ahead of PMQs in Commons”
14 December 2011
The Government is 'absolutely determined' to ensure that Britain remains at the heart of the European single market, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said today. Despite the deep differences on Europe between the coalition parties exposed by David Cameron's decision to deploy the UK veto to block a new EU treaty last week, Mr Clegg …
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BNE on BBC News - “We will re-engage with Europe, says deputy PM Clegg”
14 December 2011
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said ministers are "absolutely determined to re-engage with our European partners" following David Cameron's EU veto. He was addressing a meeting of Liberal Democrats and business leaders, and said he was speaking on behalf of the "whole government". Mr Clegg has called the veto "bad for Britain". But the …
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BNE in the Press Association - “Clegg: We must re-engage with EU”
14 December 2011
The Government is "absolutely determined" to ensure that Britain remains at the heart of the European single market, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said. Despite the deep differences on Europe between the coalition parties exposed by David Cameron's decision to deploy the UK veto to block a new EU treaty last week, Mr Clegg …
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Phillip Souta in Le Figaro - “The City is concerned”
13 December 2011
British Prime Minister raises doubts growing among the first representatives of the European financial marketplace. David Cameron has wielded its veto in Brussels Friday in the interests of the City. Monday defended by Prime Minister at Westminster, the stunt has caused sharp criticism from the opposition. It also raises growing doubts among the first representatives of the European …
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BNE in The Independent - “City warns Cameron veto may come back to haunt it”
10 December 2011
By David Prosser Britain's decision to veto a European Union-wide treaty on the single currency in order to safeguard the interests of the City of London could backfire, senior members of the country's crucial financial sector warned yesterday. David Cameron's refusal to sign any treaty that did not build in new safeguards for the …
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Phillip Souta in Financial Times - “Business worries at lack of resolution”
9 December 2011
By Brian Groom, FT Business and Employment Editor Fear that the summit outcome would fail to resolve the eurozone crisis was a bigger immediate worry for many UK businesses than concern about isolation as a result of David Cameron’s veto of a European Union-wide treaty change. “The most important thing for UK manufacturers was a resolution of the eurozone …
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Roland Rudd on BBC Radio 4 - “Is the EU Undemocratic?”
11 November 2011
As Greece and Italy prepare to swear in new, unelected, prime ministers, has the eurozone democratic dream been forgotten? "There is a strong indication that the ball game has changed" in European politics, eurosceptic Conservative MP Bill Cash told John Humphrys, with Germany starting to flex it's political muscles. There had been a "conglomeration of power" …
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3 November - Letter in The Times
3 November 2011
Sir, As the eurozone moves towards a solution to the sovereign debt crisis, it looks increasingly likely that treaty change may be required. Some on the fringes in the UK see that as an opportunity for wholesale repatriation of social and employment powers from the European Union. Such a strategy would fail. Stability of the …
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Letter in The Evening Standard - Roland Rudd on why Parliament rightly voted against EU referendum
27 October 2011
David Cameron was right to firmly face down eurosceptics on whether there should a referendum on our EU membership. Parliament, rightly, voted overwhelmingly against the motion as wrong both in principle and a distraction. The Government must not shift from the path of engaging in Europe. In a reported clash with President Sarkozy, the PM …
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Letter in The Telegraph - BNE Chairman, Roland Rudd, on why an EU referendum would be wrong
25 October 2011
SIR – Yesterday's motion on a referendum on membership of the EU was quite rightly never going to succeed. There are two particular reasons why it would be wrong to have such a referendum. First, it would be a distraction. Europe is in the midst of a dire economic crisis. The Government should be focusing …
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BNE Director Letter to City A.M. calling for 10 per cent cut in EU budget
11 October 2011
The EU has an opportunity to wrong foot its detractors with its next seven-year budget, which is starting to be negotiated. The signs, however, are not good. The European Commission and Parliament have proposed increases for 2012, of 4.9 per cent and 5.2 per cent respectively. The debate needs to change – it is not …
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BNE Director quoted in CNBC article - Can the UK Stay Clear of the Euro Zone’s Problems?
7 October 2011
By Catherine Boyle Staff Writer, CNBC.com The UK has had an often fractious relationship with the rest of the European Union since it joined in 1973, with Euroscepticism sometimes one of the best tactics for aspiring politicians to get to the top. Now, with almost every day marking a new milestone in the euro …
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Roland Rudd on Bloomberg TV
20 September 2011
BNE Chairman, Roland Rudd, discusses the eurozone with Bloomberg's Maryaman Nemazee and emphasizes the importance of the UK's role in stabilising the euro. Greece leaving the euro would be catastrophic and with close economic ties, it would be impossible to shield the UK from the impact this would cause. http://www.bnegroup.org/video/#roland-rudd-on-bloomberg-with-maryam-nemazee
Rapid Response in City A.M. - ‘Save the Euro’
19 September 2011
'Politicians can and will sort out the euro crisis. Why? They have no alternative. A breakup would send Germany, Greece and every country in between into a grinding recession. The cost of the solutions - euro bonds, empowering the European Central Bank to stand behind Eurozone debt - is a bargain compared to that. Europe's …
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Comment in the Independent - The high price of playing politics with stability
12 September 2011
We should focus on strengthening the hand of liberals. Ultimately this is a crisis of competitiveness and the EU will only get out of it through growth, says Roland Rudd, Chairman of BNE. Up to 100 Conservative MPs are meeting today under the banner of reversing integration in the European Union. Share prices may have plunged …
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Letter in the Times - UK must lead the debate in Europe
28 July 2011
Sir, The eurozone crisis is not the time for the UK to step back from decisions being taken in the EU (Rachel Sylvester, Opinion, July 26). Some are saying that the price of the UK agreeing to reform of the eurozone should be a renegotiation of our membership. That would be bad diplomacy and wrong …
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Letter in the Daily Telegraph - Competitiveness
17 June 2011
SIR – The headlines say Europe is in a state of crisis and the euro close to collapse. There is, indeed, a crisis, but the more dire predictions are wide of the mark and ignore the important underlying story of the battle in European capitals over how to set the European Union on the path …
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Letter in The Telegraph - Libya: enter the EU
28 February 2011
SIR – As events in North Africa unfold, the European Union has been woefully inadequate in its response. We seriously need to raise our game. The EU’s first and rather ignoble concern was voiced by Roberto Moroni, Italy’s Interior Minister. He spoke of “an exodus of biblical proportions” that threatens to engulf Italy and bring …
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City A.M. - New CBI head backs UK membership of EU
20 December 2010
Richard Partington in the City A.M. - The incoming president of the CBI has said Britain would lose out if it were to quit the European Union. Roger Carr, president-elect of the CBI and chairman of Centrica, said: “Economic conditions in Europe are challenging but it remains a major UK trading partner. “Britain …
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The Sunday Times - Europe or Bust
20 December 2010
By Dominic O'Connell in the Sunday Times - Brussels has strong competition enforcers but the European currency looks as stable as a custard sandwich. Last week Ireland, a straggling member of the eurozone, lost its A credit rating. The repercussions have yet to be felt, but Lloyds gave a clue on Friday, increasing provisions for …
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Daily Telegraph - Britain must learn to talk the language of business
26 November 2010
By Damian Reece in the Daily Telegraph It is predicted that within a few years the nation with the most English speakers will be China. Another reason for our children to avoid learning a foreign language? I sincerely hope not. The Coalition has placed trade at the heart of its foreign policy yet it would …
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Joint letter in the Telegraph and le Figaro - Anglo-French defence cooperation
2 November 2010
Letter in the Daily Telegraph As the French and British governments seek to maintain military capabilities during the toughest spending climate in living memory, it is not only right but essential that greater defence cooperation is to be on the agenda at today’s summit between Prime Minister Cameron and President Sarkozy. The trauma of Iraq …
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Letter in the Times - Explain the benefits of Europe Mr Cameron
30 October 2010
Sir, Your leading article on the EU budget (Oct 28) was right to urge David Cameron to say “no” to a 6 per cent increase. At this time of Continent-wide austerity, the EU had a priceless opportunity to prove its detractors wrong by freezing the budget for 2011. Mr Cameron’s success in building a coalition …
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Letter in the Daily Telegraph - Cash for scrutiny
15 July 2010
SIR – The chairman of the Commons European Scrutiny Committee is likely to be chosen this week or next. Bill Cash, an ideologically Eurosceptic Conservative MP, has been nominated. The committee sifts through documents that emanate from the EU on behalf of the Commons and is one of our most important select committees, and one …
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EU finance reform (Letter in The Times)
17 June 2010
Sir, European Union finance ministers meet in Brussels today to discuss ways of improving market confidence in member states’ finances. Some have said that President Herman van Rompuy, the European Council’s increasingly active “facilitator”, is suggesting that member states should present completed budgets to the Commission before they are seen by member states’ own legislatures. …
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Europe has been damaged by internal wrangling
19 May 2010
By Charles Grant in the Financial Times Despite European Union leaders agreeing on a €500bn support package, the underlying causes of the euro crisis – southern Europe’s lack of competitiveness and structural imbalances within the eurozone – remain. Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain face years of low growth, severe budget cuts and perhaps social unrest. …
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Tory Euroscepticism is being sidelined
14 May 2010
The Guardian - Comment is Free Charles Grant For those of us who hope Britain will engage constructively with the EU, the formation of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition is good news. Even when Conservative leaders expected to win the election outright, they were not planning a confrontational approach to the EU. This is not because …
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Europe’s future in the balance as eurozone faces its toughest test
9 May 2010
As the world waits to see whether Greece's debt crisis will spread to other European nations, eurozone experts give their views on how events will play out. The eurozone faces the biggest test since its inception in 1999, amid fears that the Greekdebt crisis could spread to other European countries and imperil the future of the euro. …
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UK needs a government working strongly in the EU mainstream (Letter in the Financial Times)
22 April 2010
Dear Sir, British business needs a government at Europe’s top table. We call on all parties to campaign on the basis that the UK must play a central and positive role in the EU. Business for New Europe, a coalition of business leaders supporting reform in Europe, has published a manifesto setting out what the …
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Lady Ashton’s fans (Letter in The Daily Telegraph)
8 March 2010
SIR – In November last year, Cathy Ashton landed one of the hardest jobs in Brussels. To say that a letter of support from David Miliband and Carl Bildt is intended to “prop her up” (report, March 5) before a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Cordoba is wide of the mark.We need to realise …
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