Leaving the European Union could have “positive economic consequences” for Britain, one of the world’s biggest companies says today.
Dr Alexander Moscho, the chief executive of Bayer UK and Ireland, says that Britain would be able to “survive” outside the European Union if it can sign a free-trade deal.
However, he warns that life would be “much more difficult” for companies that need to employ people across Europe, warning that the “cracks” in the Eurozone could become “chasms” if Britain leaves.
In an article for The Telegraph he added that Britain needs Europe to increase its “prosperity and productivity” and to “leverage your reach in the world”.
HIs intervention comes as George Osborne, the Chancellor, today begins a series of visits to Finland, Sweden and Denmark to gain support for EU reforms.
Mr Osborne will say: “This government has been given a very clear mandate to renegotiate Britain’s relationship with the rest of the EU and to reform the EU so it works for all its citizens. We are determined to deliver a new settlement for Europe that works for everyone within it.
“The results of our efforts will be put to the British people in a referendum and they will decide.
“As part of that, our process of renegotiation must include engaging actively with our key partners in Europe and that’s why today’s meetings in Finland, Sweden and Denmark are so important.”
In his article for The Telegraph, Dr Moscho says: “Accountants make much of the potential economic consequences for both the UK and the EU of a ‘Brexit’. Depending on who you believe, the impact could be disastrous or even positive. I believe it could also be neutral; if Britain can set up a working free-trade scheme with the EU, then the potential economic consequences might actually even be positive. Britain would survive.
“But life would be more difficult for companies that need and want to employ people from across Europe – just look at Switzerland and the impact their referendum had against remaining part of the EU labour market.
“The truth is that Europe needs Britain: your strength in diplomacy, your tenacity of spirit, to help refocus and develop the EU from inside. But Britain needs Europe: not simply to increase Britain’s prosperity and productivity but to leverage your reach in the world and to continue to secure your priorities as a nation, for example, safeguarding London and the City as an outstanding financial centre, and maintaining the UK economy as a competitive and creative, world-leader.
“To me, from all I have come to know and admire about Britain, it doesn’t seem terribly British to flee the challenge of changing the EU from within.”
It comes amid reports that the EU referendum “no” campaign is in talks with at least eight Cabinet ministers about joining the fight to get Britain to leave the European Union.
According to The Sunday Times, some of the Conservative party’s biggest donors have signed up and are putting together a £7million warchest.
The campaign is likely to be led by Matthew Elliott, the head of the Eurosceptic pressure group Business for Britain.
source: The Telegraph
