Brexit: The Wine Trade are Mostly Remainians
Posted on Sun 21st Feb 2016 at 12:23
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has conducted a survey that reveals 90% of their members back Britain’s continued EU membership.
Out of the organisation’s 300 members, only 2% backed Brexit and 8% remained undecided. Members’ reasons for opting to stay in the EU included loss of access to the Single Market, an inability to contribute to shaping EU regulations, and a more uncertain trading environment. Of particular concern was the potential loss of free trade agreements with other countries, and the imposition of potentially costly tariffs. Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association said: “While all views were represented in our membership the vast majority is clear that the industry will better be able to invest, grow and create jobs if the UK remains in the Single Market. “The industry needs a powerful UK voice within the EU to ensure that we can shape and influence regulations that will impact on the trade and its access to the EU’s 500m consumers.” Despite this, there are still one or two prominent figures in the industry who are advocating Brexit. The head of the Wetherspoons pub chain, Tim Martin, is a high profile Brexiteer who has repeatedly stated that Britain is better off outside the EU, calling the latter an undemocratic, ‘quasi-religious’ project supporting a currency that is doomed to failure. Prime Minister David Cameron has even waded into the debate, warning that the alcohol industry could face significant job losses post Brexit. Whether it’s true or simply just another proclamation from ‘project fear’, he announced at a WTSA roundtable that that Britain remaining in a reformed EU will help to safeguard almost 600,000 jobs in the UK alcohol industry: “Britain will be stronger, safer and better off in a reformed Europe than out on our own, because we will have full participation in the free trade area, bringing in jobs, investment, lower prices and financial security. That means real certainty so you can plan the future”, he said. What do you think Britain should do on 23rd June? Let us know in the comments.