EU Referendum: the final verdict

As the UK goes to the polls today, TheBusinessDesk.com gauges the mood of East Midlands business leaders after weeks of often bitter campaigning.

Have you found the campaign useful?
Scott Knowles, president of the East Midlands Chamber: “No. While the views of individual business people have differed on whether Britain should vote Remain or Leave, their disappointment with the tone and conduct of the campaign has been near-universal. So, too, has their frustration about everything that has been put on hold while Westminster has indulged its European obsession, which has crowded out everything else and has meant that other issues have barely got a look in.

Gary Digva

Gary Digva, sales director, InPhase International: “It would be helpful if the campaign provided clear and accurate information, but sadly this has not been the case. In or Out there are too many unknowns but what we know is that since joining the EU more control on how Great Britain is run is being governed by the EU. However it has help me make an more informed decision on my vote.”

Macrus Ginn, CEO, Edozo “Yes. As an employer and as a high growth business, it has helped cement our pro-EU views even further.”

Have you changed your mind on how you’ll vote during the campaign?
Tom Gray, partner, Fraser Brown: “No, I’ve been a firm advocate to Vote Leave from the start. The campaign has caused me to think, but on balance the issues of sovereignty, judicial supremacy and achieving flexibility for the UK in a globalised, trading world have been the overriding issues.

Scott Knowles, president, East Midlands Chamber: “No, but regardless of which way the country votes, our political leaders will need to demonstrate that they are ready to make some of the big choices that have been put off for too long, including finance for investment, skills provision and the delivery of first class digital and transport infrastructure, and do whatever it takes to get Britain back to business.

Brendan Dawson, managing director, Qdos Vantage and Qdos Global: “I have changed my mind on several occasions. I can see both side of the arguments and both have their merits. I think there will have been many people from the outset with fixed views and were in one camp or another. There may have been some people who have flipped as a result of the campaigns. But I believe there are still a lot of undecided voter who have yet to make up their mind and won’t do so until they are in the voting booth. Sadly, there will be a number of people who won’t vote at all.

Andrew Springhall

Andrew Springhall, owners Breedon Electrical, Blusource: “There are clear and obvious risks associated with both staying within the EU and leaving. However, there is no debate that if the UK votes to leave the EU on 23 June it will definitely create short term economic uncertainty both in this country, across Europe and potentially the. Nobody, on either side of the argument is able to tell you with any certainty the long term impact of leaving and whether this adverse economic impact will last two, five, 10 or 15 years.

Has the voice of business been heard enough during the campaign?
Brendan Dawson, managing director, Qdos Vantage and Qdos Global: “I think the voice of big business and vested interest has been heard either through letters to editors or commentary in the debates. However, I don’t think small medium enterprise businesses such as my own have really been canvassed and I have yet to be polled in any surveys re intention to vote either way. I don’t know where they get their polling data from or who. When the country wakes up on Friday morning we will have the decision and have to deal with the consequences whether it’s in or out.

Gary Digva, sales director, InPhase International: “Clear and loud in respect to large multinationals, when the CEO of large conglomerates are writing to their staff advising them of their position, this makes a viable news story and as other business figures voicing their opinions. Smaller business have not been as visible and this is who it will affect the most, what impact will leaving the EU have on the local retailer only time will tell.

Tom Gray, partner, Fraser Brown: “I think big business has received disproportionate coverage, as against SMEs which are the backbone of our economy. This is unsurprising as big business has been marshalled by the government and has a vested interest in preserving the Brussels system. Sadly, as regards economic impact, there has been too much emphasis on any short term market/currency volatility to try to frighten voters, rather than looking at the underlying structural benefits and longer term flexibility that a Brexit would bring the UK in my view.