Surprising views on the EU from small businesses
Outlook
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
When it comes to the EU, conventional wisdom holds that big business would rather the UK stayed in, while smaller firms, tired of a vexatious bureaucracy and its addiction to never-ending spools of red tape, would head for the exit.
That perception isn’t borne out by the results of a commendably comprehensive study the Federation of Small Business is releasing on Thursday. It polled more than 6,000 members and found 47 per cent favouring a “remain in” vote against 41 per cent who would back Brexit if a referendum were to be held tomorrow.
A reformed relationship with the EU found wide favour, while those trading across the continent were more supportive of the UK staying in than those exporting to markets outside the EU. This suggests a line that an “in” campaign might like to pursue. It should make the point that our position in the EU is useful when it comes to trading with countries outside it. Being a member of a big trading bloc helps with striking favourable trade deals.
One thing a majority complained about was that they don’t feel terribly well informed. Those who value a constructive relationship with Europe should address that issue, and with some speed.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments