Business leaders want out of EU: 250 top bosses back vote to break free from Brussels

CAMPAIGNERS for Britain to quit the EU were given another massive boost last night when 250 business leaders and entrepreneurs joined the anti-Brussels referendum surge.

Tim Martin, chairman of the pub chain JD Wetherspoons, Carphone Warehouse founder David Ross and Martin Bellamy, chief executive of the Salamanca Group merchant bank were among the high-profile backers of the Vote Leave campaign group.

A poll released by Vote Leave showed that twice as many bosses of small and medium-sized businesses believe the EU makes it harder to take on employees.

And a third of the firms surveyed by pollsters YouGov said the EU hinders businesses.

Many firms struggle with relentless interference from the EU and rules that are stacked in the favour of a select number of businesses
John Longworth Business Council Chairman
The support from business leaders was last night being seen as the latest sign that momentum is growing in the "leave" campaign for the in-or-out referendum on June 23.

In another coup for the "out" camp, former British Chambers of Commerce chief John Longworth was yesterday unveiled as the chairman of Vote Leave's Business Council.

He was engulfed in an extraordinary public row earlier this year after publicly backing a British exit from the EU.

The furore led to his resignation from the Chambers of Commerce post.

Downing Street officials denied that any pressure from the Government was put on Mr Longworth or the business group after his declaration.

Mr Longworth said yesterday: "I am delighted to be appointed the Chairman of Vote Leave's Business Council.

"This is the most important political debate of a generation."Business is divided on the issue and it is vital the full breadth of business opinion is heard.

"Many firms struggle with relentless interference from the EU and rules that are stacked in the favour of a select number of businesses.

"If we Vote Leave, liberated from the shackles of EU membership, jobs will be safer, Britain will be able to spend our money on our priorities and we can look forward to faster growth and greater prosperity in the future."

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of Vote Leave said: "We're delighted that John Longworth has agreed to chair Vote Leave's Business Council.

"His strong business track record and his courageous decision to share his true beliefs with voters makes him an extremely powerful voice in the EU debate.

"With our growing list of business supporters, Vote Leave will make that case that whilst the EU might be good for big multinationals, for smaller businesses it acts as a job destruction regulatory machine.

"Brussels hinders smaller businesses, particularly those firms who can't afford to lobby Brussels to curry favour. Jobs, wages and our economy will thrive when we take back control and Vote Leave."

The YouGov poll of more than 1,000 bosses of small and medium-sized firms found that 31% felt the EU made it harder to employ staff. Just 14% said the EU made it easier.

Thirty-two per cent of business leaders felt the EU hindered firms like their own while 25% felt the bloc was helpful.

The YouGov research was the latest sign of growing support for an EU exit. Earlier this week, a poll by ICM gave "leave" a two-point lead. A total of 43% of voters quizzed by in the ICM weekly Referendum Tracker backed "leave" while 41% supported the "remain" option.

A week earlier, the same polling firm had "remain" ahead by two points.