Nearly two-thirds (63%) of the senior business people polled in a major new British Chambers of Commerce survey have revealed that the outcome of the Prime Minister’s renegotiation is unlikely to change how they will vote.
Views vary between categories of business with those exporting only to the EU expressing the strongest support for "remain" while those exporting only outside the EU expressing the strongest support for "leave".
On the eve of crunch Brussels talks expected to result in a deal, the findings from the leading business group demonstrate that the renegotiation process is having little effect on business opinion.
The BCC’s previous survey on Europe, which took place in September 2015 before the renegotiation process began, found that half (50%) of those surveyed would reconsider their voting intentions based on the package of reforms secured by the Prime Minister. The latest survey of over 2,000 senior business leaders was conducted between 25thJanuary and 4th February 2016 with renegotiations in full swing — and saw this percentage decrease to 34%. The BCC’s detailed findings suggest that it is now the referendum itself that is important to businesspeople, rather than any package of reforms secured.
When it comes to how individual businesspeople will vote in a forthcoming referendum, 60% would vote to remain, down slightly from 63% in September, and 30% would vote to leave – up slightly from 27%.
The BCC’s data on voting intentions shows a business community divided based on size and export interests. Those representing large firms are significantly more likely to vote ‘Remain’ than those in small and micro-businesses. Firms’ international orientation is also a major factor, with opinion varying based on whether and where firms export.
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