Letter to the Editor: Business needs Britain to be at the heart of Europe

From Mr Roland Rudd

The fact that Europe Day passed almost unnoticed (Leader, May 10) does indeed say a lot about the UK's ambivalent relationship with Europe. However, there is a large degree of interest from the business community, which appreciates the role being played by the European commission in expanding and promoting competitive markets and confronting protectionism.

The business community remains committed to the European cause. A recent poll we carried out showed a 4:1 ratio supportive of the UK's membership, a much higher proportion than in public opinion polls. That is why we have established Business for New Europe to mobilise business support for the UK's membership of the EU and to articulate a positive case for reform in Europe.
Our message is that business will suffer if the UK plays as marginal role, and will prosper from the UK being a pivotal figure among the 25 member states of the EU.

Against this backdrop of business support, it is important that Geoff Hoon, the new Europe minister, works to secure a satisfactory services directive, pushes for liberalisation of markets such as gas and energy, and continues to oppose the re-emergence of protectionist sentiment in parts of continental Europe.

One study carried out by the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris claims that the price of existing barriers to trade such as tariffs and quotas for European consumers could be as high as €700bn. While we would like to see greater reform, we have been encouraged by the current efforts of the EU to expand the single market and to increase competition in markets.

Roland Rudd
Chairman, Business for New Europe