
It’s getting pretty difficult these days to go anywhere without some mention of the EU Referendum. Obviously in my day job this is an issue I have a great deal of interest in and I am slightly worried that the few facts that are available are getting lost in a mixture of half-truths, complacency and scandal laden headlines.
I think it’s important then that the Chamber has identified a crucial role to play in this and act as an honest-broker in making sure that when you vote on 23rd June - and please use your vote - that you can do so after having had the benefit of well-informed, fact-based and well-reasoned articles, debates and analysis.
And this isn't just for our members either. I hope that the work that the Chamber team are committed to can be used by other people too whether they're in business or not. For example, only a few weeks ago my daughter got some mail from the leave campaign - completely unsolicited - and outlining in quite attractive detail why the UK should leave the EU. So far nothing similar has been forthcoming from the stay campaign. The information may be right, it may be wrong but without considered analysis most people would never know.
So please get involved with this campaign and don’t just look at this from a personal perspective. One of the big things that I am keen on members doing more of is involving their employees in work like this. As President I sit on the Policy and Campaign Committee for the Chamber and when we were discussing activity on the back of this campaign, it was very clear that the call to action should be as widespread as possible so look out for more information on this as we move closer to the big day itself. I believe that it is crucial that we debate the issue with our employees to ensure everyone understands the facts.
Read Wayne's full column in the April edition of 53 Degrees.
I think it’s important then that the Chamber has identified a crucial role to play in this and act as an honest-broker in making sure that when you vote on 23rd June - and please use your vote - that you can do so after having had the benefit of well-informed, fact-based and well-reasoned articles, debates and analysis.
And this isn't just for our members either. I hope that the work that the Chamber team are committed to can be used by other people too whether they're in business or not. For example, only a few weeks ago my daughter got some mail from the leave campaign - completely unsolicited - and outlining in quite attractive detail why the UK should leave the EU. So far nothing similar has been forthcoming from the stay campaign. The information may be right, it may be wrong but without considered analysis most people would never know.
So please get involved with this campaign and don’t just look at this from a personal perspective. One of the big things that I am keen on members doing more of is involving their employees in work like this. As President I sit on the Policy and Campaign Committee for the Chamber and when we were discussing activity on the back of this campaign, it was very clear that the call to action should be as widespread as possible so look out for more information on this as we move closer to the big day itself. I believe that it is crucial that we debate the issue with our employees to ensure everyone understands the facts.
Read Wayne's full column in the April edition of 53 Degrees.