An idea has been put forward that, if the country votes to leave, we could have a second renegotiation and perhaps another referendum.
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More than a third of Britain’s biggest businesses came out in support of the Remain campaign in a letter today.
In another letter to The Times in support of Britain’s EU membership, general secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Frances O’Grady said there was little positive for working people in Michael Gove’s and Boris Johnson’s vision for Britain outside Europe.
Members of Mr Cameron’s Business Advisory Group (BAG) who opted not to sign include Alison Brittain, chief executive of Whitbread; Jeff Fairburn, who runs the housebuilder Persimmon; Liv Garfield, the Severn Trent boss; Robert Noel, Land Securities’ chief executive; Steve Varley, the United Kingdom chairman of EY; and Nigel Wilson, chief executive of Legal General. As such, it would have been far better for Britain had the Prime Minister remained on the fence, rather than declaring his preference to stay in so early.
“Brexit will reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens and cost on business, which can be used to invest in more jobs, not less”, he added. David Burrowes, MP for Enfield Southgate, said: “I want to restore the independence of our country, restoring control over our borders as promised to my constituents”.
However, there were some notable absences from the list, including the bosses of Tesco, Sainsburys, RBS and Barclays.
“We believe that leaving the European Union would deter investment and threaten jobs”.
The referendum has been scheduled for June 23.
In a barb at London mayor and Conservative party rival Mr Johnson, who declared on Sunday that he would vote to leave the EU, Mr Cameron said: “I have no other agenda than what is best for our country”.
It comes as divisions in the Conservative Party over the referendum were laid bare during a debate in Parliament on Monday. If no agreement has been reached within two years, “the Treaties shall cease to apply to the State in question”, meaning it will no longer be in the EU.
“UK airlines now compete successfully on routes right across Europe, taking full advantage of the “open skies” created by the EU”.
For Labour, Jeremy Corbyn said he was glad the “theatrical sideshow” of Mr Cameron’s negotiation was over and Labour could make a “real” argument for the benefits of European Union membership while former SNP leader Alex Salmond urged him to make a “more positive case” for European Union membership.
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The pound fell 1.7 percent to $1.4166, and also sagged 0.5 percent to 1.28 euros, as bookmakers shortened the odds on a vote to leave – though betting markets still favor a “remain” victory.
