Withdrawing from the EU would be bad for businesses

Sir - The challenge for Britain is how to make the most of our EU membership. Withdrawing from EU membership would not only be inimical to the national interest, but it would also be met with bewilderment from other member states as well as America.

Retreating from the European scene at a time when the EU has been moving in a Britain-friendly direction is lunacy. We now have 27 member states, many of the new entrants from central and eastern Europe share similar instincts to Britain: reform-minded, Atlanticist, pro-business.

The single market, while not being perfect, has delivered huge benefits to business. More than 750,000 British companies trade with the rest of Europe. Free movement of people has plugged gaps in the British labour market and boosted our economy, while opening up opportunities for British entrepreneurs on the Continent.

The single market is a work in progress that needs support, not constant criticism.

Roland Rudd