DEBATE is raging ahead of Thursday’s referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union.
Here’s two arguments from key players in our region.
REMAIN
Jaguar Land Rover, one of our region’s biggest employers, has written to all its staff urging for them to vote to stay in the European Union.
The letter, written chief executive Dr Ralf Speth, states…
Dear Colleagues,
This Thursday you will have the opportunity to vote in the referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union – and the choice is entirely yours.
We at Jaguar Land Rover are convinced that we will be a stronger business – and a stronger country – if the UK remains a member of the European Union. Indeed, to leave would be highly damaging.
Europe is Jaguar Land Rover’s biggest market and trading partner.
It was not only our largest sales region in 2015, buying 100,000 vehicles – almost a quarter of our total, and up 28% on the previous year – but we also rely on this region for key features of our cars that come from high-tech suppliers based in Europe.
Without free and fair trade with 500 million people in 28 member states, as well as 53 associate countries, jobs and investment would be put at risk.
If the UK was to leave the EU, it would become more difficult to buy components and sell our products in our largest market.
Even the uncertainty caused whilst the Government tried to negotiate the UK’s exit and make new trade deals would be highly damaging.
In the end, it is inevitable that we would face increasing and higher tariffs, making our products less competitive in Europe.
Our business faces great challenges in the years ahead. The European Union is not a perfect institution, but sitting at the top table gives us the power to change it. Standing outside the door weakens us. Britain has always fought for a better world and never run away.
The United Kingdom showed the world three centuries ago how nations can become greater by joining together.
Remaining in the EU, I believe, will increase our chances to grow, create jobs and attract investment. Yet, Europe is not just about money. Look at our history and you can see that the European Union has helped to create peace and stability for decades. We are stronger together than we are apart. This is not just an employer’s view or that of ‘big business’. It is also the conviction of the unions who represent you. Whatever your opinion please do not miss this chance to exercise your democratic rights this week.
Yours, Dr Ralf Speth Chief Executive Officer Jaguar Land Rover
LEAVE
Jim Carver, West Midlands UKIP MEP, is calling on you the voters to vote him out of a job! He states:
The clock is ticking down to the most important day in this country’s calendar in more than 40 years.
No one can have failed to notice that Thursday is the EU referendum and with a fair proportion of undecided voters you really now have the opportunity to influence the direction our country goes.
I would implore those still undecided, and everyone else, to vote to Leave and make a vital stand for democracy. That is the real issue at stake, regaining the ability to govern our own country without outside interference.
That EU interference touches all aspects of our lives, including who has the right to live and work here, our economy, the red tape strangling small companies – which form the overwhelming majority of business in this country – and even how powerful our kettles and vacuum cleaners can be.
It is run by bureaucrats and unfortunately most people in this country don’t realise that it is not run on very different “democratic” principles to Westminster. Therefore we have no way to repeal bad legislation they impose.
Outside the Eurozone we are always going to play second fiddle to the majority of EU member states and as the EU expands financial pressures on existing wealthy countries, such as ours, will increase as will the democratic deficit.
Therefore, as one with only Britain’s best interests at heart, I appeal to you all to vote for Brexit. It will be one of the most important decisions you will ever make.
