West of England firms are right behind the Prime Minister as he sets out his opening position on renegotiating the UK’s relationship with the EU, according to the region’s largest business organisation.
Business West, which runs Bristol Chamber of Commerce and the Bristol Initiative, says the region’s businesses want a clear settlement that keeps the UK in a reformed European Union.
And it said the importance of this process for the wellbeing of the regional economy should not be underestimated.
In a survey of nearly 1,000 businesses in the region earlier this year, Business West found that 61% would vote to stay in the EU if the ballot was today.
But that number would jump to 76% if a negotiation of terms made the relationship more beneficial to the UK economy.
Business West managing director Phil Smith said: “The Prime Minister has now taken the first steps in negotiating a new deal in Britain’s relationship with Europe, ahead of one of the most major political events of our lifetime.
“Earlier this year we found that the significant a majority of local firms believed that leaving the EU would pose a risk to the UK economy and their business, sending a clear message about the importance of the referendum vote.
“If David Cameron can secure further reform this would consolidate greater levels of support for remaining in the EU among the business community.”
In his six-page letter to the president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, Mr Cameron set out a four-point plan to renegotiate the terms of Britain’s EU membership.
The four points cover restricting benefits to EU migrants, a break on further political integration in the EU, powers for national parliaments to block EU legislation and safeguards that countries outside the eurozone will be not be disadvantaged.
Business West represents more than 16,000 businesses in region including through its network of chambers of commerce in Bristol, Bath and Gloucestershire.
