EU referendum – should we stay or should we go?

Institution of Chemical Engineers

While the IChemE has taken a neutral position on the referendum, a survey of its members reveals that supporters of Britain’s continuing membership of the European Union outweigh those likely to vote for ‘Brexit’ by a ratio of more than three to one.

It says a clear majority of IChemE members believe that Brexit would have a negative impact on many aspects of their professional lives with concerns around inward investment, collaboration and research funding at the forefront.

Strong support for continuing membership was evident across all sectors, including upstream oil and gas (70%), downstream chemicals (71%), power generation (76%) and higher education (88%).

It says a clear majority of IChemE members believe that Brexit would have a negative impact on many aspects of their professional lives

“Although national opinion polling suggests that the referendum result may be too close to call right now, this survey suggests that, within professional chemical engineering circles, there is very strong support for Britain’s continuing membership of the European Union,” says Andy Furlong, the IChemE’s director of communications.

“A clear majority of IChemE members will vote to stay in.”

Manufacturers’ organisation (EEF)

The EEF says a vote to leave the EU creates a number of risks for its members, with no clear pathway or information for manufacturers about what being outside of the EU looks like or will actually entail.

It reports that six in ten (61%) of EEF member companies want UK to remain in the EU, while 5% support Brexit.

As for the outcome, our members are clear that the UK’s interests are best served by remaining in the EU

Terry Scuoler, chief executive of the EEF

The majority say that remaining in the EU is important (50%) or business critical (20%) for their company, and 82% say it doesn’t make sense for the UK to cut itself off from its major market.

“As for the outcome, our members are clear that the UK’s interests are best served by remaining in the EU,” says Terry Scuoler, chief executive of the EEF.

“They are fully aware of the EU’s benefits and shortcomings, but strongly believe that the right way forward is to reform and improve the EU rather than simply walk away.”

Food and Drink Federation

Britain’s food and drink manufacturers have given an overwhelming endorsement to the campaign for the UK to remain in the European Union, says the FDF.

A poll of its members saw more than two thirds (71%) of those responding support the ‘remain’ option. A further 17% responded ‘my company chooses not to express a preference’, while 12% expressed support for the ‘leave’ option.

Members identified the single market, access to raw materials and the free movement of labour among key considerations in coming to their view

Ian Wright, director general of FDF

Ian Wright, director general of FDF, says 71% of FDF members who voted believe the “interests of their business will be best served by the UK voting to remain in the European Union”.

He adds: “Members identified the single market, access to raw materials and the free movement of labour among key considerations in coming to their view.”

Chemical Industries Association

The leaders of chemical and pharmaceutical businesses from across the UK believe that remaining in the EU is in the best interest of their businesses.

No respondents said that leaving the EU would be in the best interests of their business

A survey of the CIA’s 93 member companies showed that 62% voted to remain, with the remaining 38% declaring that their company had decided not to take a position.

No respondents said that leaving the EU would be in the best interests of their business, says the CIA.

“For an internationally-exposed industry such as chemicals, the free movement of goods, services, capital and people as well as proportionate regulation are critical success factors in terms of global competitiveness,” says Steve Elliott, CIA chief executive.