EU Referendum: Nottingham businesses have made their minds up

The majority of Nottingham’s business community has already decided how it will vote during next month’s EU referendum.

This was the message from the Nottingham Means Business (NMB) and East Midlands Chamber’s Big EU Business Debate. During a show of hands following a lively debate, attendees said their opinions remained unchanged.

During the breakfast event held at Nottingham Trent University, Kate Godfrey of Britain Stronger in Europe presented her case for remaining in the EU – while Dave Buik, supporter of Vote Leave, explained why he believes the UK should exit. Their speeches were followed by Notts brothers and business owners Ian and Nigel Baxter.

Godfrey, when asked about what effect leaving the EU may have on Nottingham, said: “My job is to bring businesses together and help them to understand the potential impact of Britain coming out of Europe. Nottingham is one of the areas where this is most profound, with 25% of most of the jobs around East Midlands Airport, coming from industries such as logistics, freight and manufacturing, all of which are connected to Europe and will be impacted greatly if we leave Europe.”

David Buik showed concern over how both parties were educating voters. He said: “The past 11 general elections pale in comparison to this vote, it is really, really important. What upsets me the most about the campaigning has been the quality of the debate on both sides, which has become hysteric, unrealistic and in some ways fanciful. We need to tangibly prove to voters that if we leave the EU, it will be the right decision, although there may be two or three months of turmoil.”