Do we stay or do we go?

On June 23 Britain will vote on whether it stays a part of the EU or leaves. A recent poll by YouGov showed that 42% of people support the leave campaign, while 41% support the remain campaign. Another 13% didn’t know and 4% said they wouldn’t vote. P&P editor Melanie Attlesey asks the industry for their thoughts on the EU Referendum.

“I have very strong views on this and would certainly vote to stay in EU.

“I started my business outside the EU 45 years ago and remember well the issues of our economy before we joined – both in currency, but more over hyper inflation that destroyed industry and led to Britain being a third world country watching Germany, France, Italy and the others in EU leaving us behind.

“We had the lowest wages in Europe so we could still manufacture, however this did not help people because the inflation to live meant there was strike after strike.

“Since joining the country has been stable and our economy grew to lead Europe alongside Germany because Britain’s major employers are companies the size of Result and ISE with 50 to 100 employees and these size companies can only survive selling in Europe – it is only the multinationals that can sell in the wider world.

“So anyone working for a small company should consider voting to stay in, because if we leave we will surely go back to inflation caused by low value of currency and gradually watch the large industrials move from Britain to Europe to survive.

“There is no logic to come out and we are kidding ourselves if we think we can renegotiate a trade deal as favourable as the one we have now.”

David Sanders-Smith, MD, Result Clothing

“Rowlinson Knitwear believes that it will probably be better for the printwear (and indeed schoolwear market) to stay in Europe. Virtually all wearables in the market are imported which means that a strong pound is essential against other currencies, particularly the US Dollar. It has been said that the market is concerned about the possibility of ‘Brexit’ which has probably led to exchange rates being 5% lower since the date was first set and little hope of change until an outcome is decided. It seems clear therefore (and many traders predict this) that the rate could fall much lower if indeed we do vote to come out of Europe.

“The fall may well be short to medium term (up to three years to stabilise?) but product costs will inevitably rise in this period maybe by as much as 10% to 15% which will not be good for the printwear market generally.

“For this reason alone we believe that it could be better to remain in the EU. We also note that the vast majority of economists also strongly suggest that we should stay.”

Donald Moore, MD, Rowlinson Knitwear

“The promotional garment industry is a fantastic example of how well the common market of the EU can work. Europe counts for more than 50% of our turnover, and if the leave campaign is successful it will make business extremely difficult. We don’t know what the new terms would be but we imagine it will make trade harder. For example, it’s more expensive and takes more time and admin for us to sell to European countries currently outside the EU (e.g. Switzerland and Norway). And then there are all those clothing brands based in Europe that decorators use to get great prices and delivery from. If we left the EU it will definitely put costs up for the UK promo industry as a whole. Mantis World is extremely fortunate to benefit from a diverse and multicultural workforce. Many of our key staff are European and an exit of the EU will make it harder to attract and retain the talent we have.

“There are many reforms needed in the EU without doubt, but leaving will make UK industry weaker, less profitable and isolated.”

Prama Bhardwaj, CEO and founder, Mantis World

“The big question over Europe is understandably a difficult one as there are so many arguments in both camps as to the benefits and disadvantages of being members.

“However, as part of a global company with over 25 offices throughout Europe I will undoubtedly be voting that we remain within the union. Our lives in the UK have benefited both socially and culturally over the past 30 years and will continue to do so. The argument about controlling the borders and immigration is weak as the arrival of migrants has only benefited us to grow and develop, let’s not forget that people who arrive in the UK are only trying to better their lives, and who are we to stop them.

“One other very important factor to ask ‘Would we still be allowed in the Eurovision Song Contest if we opted out?’ Something worth considering.”

Jim Nicol, MD, TheMagicTouch

“I agree with a lot of the points raised by the out campaign. Yes, the UK should be allowed to set its own laws on matters such as immigration, working times and the shape of bananas we can buy. I think the current government has taken steps to give the UK its own opt out clauses on such matters.

“This is just a start and if we stay in Europe governments of the future will be aware of public feeling towards such outside interference in our own country. Many countries that fly the banner for a harmonised EU are the same ones that are selective in what EU laws they want to enforce. The problem we have in the UK is that we do everything by the book and set up government departments to enforce each and every rule that the EU throws at us. The UK has been a leading member state of the EU and we should continue to hold our place in Europe.

“If we left many things would change that we would live to regret. Cheap flights to Europe, medical cover when abroad, VAT exemption on imports and exports are just a few from a long list that we would lose. Our children can currently go and study in Europe as if they were in their own country. We can buy property in Europe, we can trade freely in Europe. You only have to travel on any of the major roads from the channel ports to see the volume of EU trucks heading in and out of our country. Do we want to lose this free trade with EU? We would lose many of these benefits by leaving. At the moment the EU border controls are in France. If we left the EU these border controls would be in Dover. Would this result in migrant camps on our side of the channel? Let’s keep Britain great within Europe and make it work to our advantage.”

Jas Purba, MD, ETC Supplies

“The uncertainty of the referendum is causing negativity for sterling in exchange markets and if Brexit happens, the uncertainty will continue for a long time to come, causing significant price increases for anyone importing. UK politics would also be in disarray for some time, as it seems unlikely that the current regime could continue with an out vote. Navigating our way through the unknown, with changed people at the helm in an already difficult economic environment, would be challenging trading conditions for the foreseeable future.”

Kathryn Shuttleworth, MD, David Luke