EU referendum – in or out: Craig Ling, Grayling Midlands

In the next of a regular series asking East Midlands business leaders whether they want to see the UK remain in the EU, or leave, we speak to Craig Ling, head Grayling Midlands

Ling leads Grayling’s office in the Midlands, providing public relations and public affairs advise to clients including HSBC, Sainsbury’s and National Grid.

He is a former policy advisor to the Liberal Democrats and has worked for three former Government Ministers.

Do you support staying in the EU, or leaving?
My personal opinion is that we should stay.

Have you changed you position since the Referendum was announced (if so, why?)
No. Nothing in the debate thus far has prompted a change of heart.

What would your 100-word pitch be to undecided business owners?
Policy-making and Government is naturally conservative in outlook. It works on the simple basis that our laws and policy remain unchanged unless an effective evidence-based case can be mounted to prove, on balance, that a change in policy is required. The default, in the absence of evidence, is to maintain the status quo. The same is equally true in business – no chief executive ‘takes a punt’ without looking at the evidence.

In the EU debate, thus far, there has been an absence of clear evidence from either side (or of robust debate). Economists are torn. As are our law makers.

The onus is on the Brexit camp to mount a clear case for leaving if they seek a change in the UK’s status – by any barometer they have manifestly failed to do this.