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Party leaders pitch to business on Europe EU referendum will not damage economy - David Cameron
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg are seeking to reassure business leaders that their views on an EU referendum are in the UK's interest. David Cameron has rejected claims an EU referendum will damage the UK economy, criticising those who argue the UK should stay in the EU "come what may".
All three party leaders will speak at the CBI's annual conference, with the subject of Europe top of the agenda. The prime minister told business leaders that the UK was securing more inward investment than the whole of the EU despite his 2017 referendum pledge.
The prime minister is defending his call for a referendum in 2017, saying that renegotiating the UK's membership will be good for jobs and investment. He suggested a better deal would be good for "shareholders and customers".
But the Labour leader will warn the UK is heading towards the EU exit. Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg will also address the issue of Europe when they speak at the CBI's annual conference,
And the Lib Dem leader will claim that three million jobs are at risk if the UK leaves. All three party leaders are seeking to reassure business leaders that their views on an EU referendum are in the UK's interest.
The employers group has said the prospect of a referendum is causing uncertainty and could deter companies from looking to expand or hire new workers.The employers group has said the prospect of a referendum is causing uncertainty and could deter companies from looking to expand or hire new workers.
But UKIP, which wants the UK to withdraw immediately from the EU, has said the CBI was a cheerleader for joining the euro in the 1990s and its "judgements should always be questioned".But UKIP, which wants the UK to withdraw immediately from the EU, has said the CBI was a cheerleader for joining the euro in the 1990s and its "judgements should always be questioned".
'Nod and wink''Nod and wink'
In his speech, Mr Cameron is expected to argue that public support for the EU has eroded and a referendum, preceded by a re-negotiation of the terms of the UK's membership, is vital. In his speech, Mr Cameron said the government's economic strategy was working and the UK should "stick with it".
He has insisted he wants the UK to stay within a reformed EU - but has not said whether he would campaign for an exit if he does not get the changes he wants on issues such as freedom of movement and labour within the 28-member organisation. He pledged a £15bn revolution for the UK's road network, with 100 major motorway and trunk road upgrades by 2020 to tackle "pinch points and problem areas".
Mr Cameron will also pledge a £15bn revolution for the UK's road network, with 100 major motorway and trunk road upgrades by 2020. On Europe, he said public support for the EU has eroded and a referendum, preceded by a re-negotiation of the terms of the UK's membership, was vital to safeguarding the UK's interests as the EU changed.
Mr Miliband will accuse the prime minister of "flirting" with leaving the EU, claiming it has weakened not strengthened the UK's hand in negotiations with other EU countries. He insisted he wanted the UK to stay within a reformed EU, one based on "common market and co-operation, not an ever-closer union".
"Britain's future in Europe matters to the country. It is not working... and that is why we need to make changes."
'Not working'
He rejected claims this would destabilise the economic recovery, suggesting that there were days when when the UK was securing more inward investment than the whole of the EU combined.
Mr Cameron said the worst approach was to "pretend a debate on Europe was not happening" and politicians must "get out there and make the arguments".
He added: "Simply standing here and saying we will stay in Europe come what way is not a plan. It is not a strategy, it will not work."
Mr Miliband will accuse the prime minister of "flirting" with leaving the EU, claiming it has weakened, not strengthened the UK's hand in negotiations with other EU countries.
"Giving succour to the argument that the real answer is leaving the EU, or contemplating it, simply drags us closer to exit," he will say."Giving succour to the argument that the real answer is leaving the EU, or contemplating it, simply drags us closer to exit," he will say.
"And every nod and wink to those who want to leave sends a message to potential investors in our country that we are not open for business."And every nod and wink to those who want to leave sends a message to potential investors in our country that we are not open for business.
"If I am prime minister I will never risk your businesses, British jobs, British prosperity by playing political games with our membership of the European Union.""If I am prime minister I will never risk your businesses, British jobs, British prosperity by playing political games with our membership of the European Union."
'Political games''Political games'
And Nick Clegg will argue that business faces twin risks if either the Conservatives or Labour govern on their own after the election.And Nick Clegg will argue that business faces twin risks if either the Conservatives or Labour govern on their own after the election.
"A Labour party that has not learnt a single lesson about fiscal responsibility," he will say. "A Conservative Party that, if allowed, will sever our ties with the EU." "A Labour Party that has not learnt a single lesson about fiscal responsibility," he will say. "A Conservative Party that, if allowed, will sever our ties with the EU."
"It will be Britain's businesses that bear the brunt - make no mistake. Your profits. Your share prices. The thousands and thousands of people you employ.""It will be Britain's businesses that bear the brunt - make no mistake. Your profits. Your share prices. The thousands and thousands of people you employ."
The three party leaders are also expected to address business concerns about plans to curb immigration from both inside and outside the EU.The three party leaders are also expected to address business concerns about plans to curb immigration from both inside and outside the EU.
Mr Cameron said that the UK needed proper immigration controls but acknowledged that further curbs would not deliver benefits without accompanying reforms of welfare, education and skills.
It comes as Home Secretary Theresa May described the Conservatives' pledge in opposition to cut net migration to below 100,000 a year as a "comment".It comes as Home Secretary Theresa May described the Conservatives' pledge in opposition to cut net migration to below 100,000 a year as a "comment".