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Sajid Javid remains 'Brussels basher' despite being against Brexit Sajid Javid remains 'Brussels basher' despite being against Brexit
(about 5 hours later)
Sajid Javid, the business secretary, has pledged to remain a “Brussels basher” despite endorsing the campaign to keep Britain in the EU.Sajid Javid, the business secretary, has pledged to remain a “Brussels basher” despite endorsing the campaign to keep Britain in the EU.
In lukewarm comments about the UK’s membership, the senior Conservative emphasised his “very difficult decision” to campaign on the side of the prime minister.In lukewarm comments about the UK’s membership, the senior Conservative emphasised his “very difficult decision” to campaign on the side of the prime minister.
But he said he made the choice because the risks of exit were too great, even though it may have harmed his career prospects within the predominantly Eurosceptic Conservative party.But he said he made the choice because the risks of exit were too great, even though it may have harmed his career prospects within the predominantly Eurosceptic Conservative party.
The business secretary told the annual conference of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) in London: “I have no time for closer political union and never have and never will. In many ways I am a Eurosceptic, absolutely. I am still a Brussels basher and will remain so.”The business secretary told the annual conference of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) in London: “I have no time for closer political union and never have and never will. In many ways I am a Eurosceptic, absolutely. I am still a Brussels basher and will remain so.”
Related: Sajid Javid is warm-up act to Jeremy Corbyn at business bash
Javid said ultimately he made the decision on the basis that “uncertainty is the enemy of jobs and growth and that is what I put first”.Javid said ultimately he made the decision on the basis that “uncertainty is the enemy of jobs and growth and that is what I put first”.
His reluctant stance towards the EU may alarm those in the remain camp who want “in” campaign to be making a positive case for the UK to stay. His reluctant stance towards the EU may alarm those in the remain camp who want the in campaign to be making a positive case for the UK to stay.
Challenged about how his unenthusiastic position would inspire voters for the remain camp, Javid said he had “huge respect for people on both sides of the debate” and it was a “very difficult decision for so many people”.Challenged about how his unenthusiastic position would inspire voters for the remain camp, Javid said he had “huge respect for people on both sides of the debate” and it was a “very difficult decision for so many people”.
John Longworth, the director general of the BCC, also struck a sceptical note about the EU.John Longworth, the director general of the BCC, also struck a sceptical note about the EU.
Although the business group is neutral in the referendum debate, Longworth said he had come to the personal conclusion that the EU is “incapable of meaningful reform” in the near future.Although the business group is neutral in the referendum debate, Longworth said he had come to the personal conclusion that the EU is “incapable of meaningful reform” in the near future.
“The long term risks of staying in the EU are likely to be as daunting as the short term risks of leaving,” he said.“The long term risks of staying in the EU are likely to be as daunting as the short term risks of leaving,” he said.
“The dynamism and resilience of the City of London and UK business sector suggests to me that in the long run, we have the capacity and capability to create a bright, if not brighter, economic future outside of the EU just as if we had the opportunity to stay in a truly reformed Europe. The question is would we be prepared to weather the near-term disruption in order to get there and could we as a nation and business community bear to make the effort required.”“The dynamism and resilience of the City of London and UK business sector suggests to me that in the long run, we have the capacity and capability to create a bright, if not brighter, economic future outside of the EU just as if we had the opportunity to stay in a truly reformed Europe. The question is would we be prepared to weather the near-term disruption in order to get there and could we as a nation and business community bear to make the effort required.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also briefly touched on the EU in his first address to the BCC national conference. “We are campaigning to remain in the EU because we believe, like 60% of businesses the BCC surveyed, that the EU is the best framework for trade and cooperation in the 21st century,” he said. The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, also briefly touched on the EU in his first address to the BCC national conference. “We are campaigning to remain in the EU because we believe, like 60% of businesses the BCC surveyed, that the EU is the best framework for trade and cooperation in the 21st century,” he said.
“But our failure to invest and our determination to sell off assets have left us with a current account balance that is forecast to be the worst of all the G7 countries this year.” The in campaign also received a boost from Wolfgang Schäuble, the German finance minister, who echoed an argument made by David Cameron that the UK would have to accept the EU’s current immigration rules if it wanted to be part of the same economic area.
At the same conference, he said the UK “would have to pay, to accept freedom of movement, but not sit at the table when the decisions are taken”.