British Business supports EU Amending Treaty
A poll released today shows that British business leaders would support an amending Treaty for the EU. The results of the poll show that of 52% of large and medium business leaders support a new Treaty, with just 31% opposed.
The poll (by Continental Research of more than 200 business people) shows that the top priority of business leaders is to speed up the amount of time it takes for the EU to make decisions on policy.
In addition to the poll, leading business figures are publicly voicing their support for a new amending EU Treaty and warn of the consequences for the UK of blocking a Treaty.
In the run up to the key Brussels summit this week, several Chairmen and CEOs of FTSE100 companies back a new amending Treaty which makes the EU work more effectively and efficiently, and which does not transfer substantive powers to the EU. They include Sir Mike Rake, Sir Philip Hampton, Peter Sutherland, Niall FitzGerald and Sir Martin Sorrell.
Some of the business leaders also express concern about the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which they worry would jeopardise the UK’s liberal labour markets.
Roland Rudd, Chairman of Business for New Europe, said: “Business wants the government to support an amending Treaty to streamline decisions, to end the rotating Presidency of the European Council and give greater clarity on foreign policy. A more effective Europe will be better placed to promote competition and tackle issues like global warming and energy security.”
A report carried out by Business for New Europe and the Centre for European Reform, “Why Treaty change matters for business and for Britain”, will be officially launched on Monday 18th June. It argues that if the UK blocked a Treaty it would damage the UK’s influence, as well as the EU’s capacity to deliver on its important policy agenda.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- Business for New Europe is an independent is an independent coalition of business leaders articulating a positive case for reform in Europe. We launched in March 2006 to support the UK’s active engagement in Europe, and a reformed, enlarged and free-market EU. For further information, see www.bnegropup.org
- For supportive quotes from business leaders, see separate document. The business leaders making supportive comment in a personal capacity include Sir Michael Bishop, Roger Carr, Niall FitzGerald, Sir Philip Hampton, Lord John Kerr, Stuart Popham, Sir Mike Rake, Bryan Sanderson, Sir Martin Sorrell, Peter Sutherland, Rosemary Thorne and Lord Christopher Tugendhat.
- The poll was carried out by Continental Research among a representative sample of 201 medium and large businesses across Great Britain. Fieldwork was conducted by telephone between 29th May - 4th June 2007. For the full results of the poll, see separate document.
- For a copy of “Why Treaty change matters for business and for Britain”, please see http://www.bnegroup.org/info/Policy_Brief.pdf
- If you require further information please call Zaki Cooper on 07787 513 864 or 020 7256 6575.
