EU 'bad for UK trade' claims West Midlands UKIP MEP (From Halesowen News)

EU 'bad for UK trade' claims West Midlands UKIP MEP

12:20pm Thursday 9th August 2012 in Business Daily

A WEST Midlands MEP says there is “ever-increasing evidence” that the EU is “bad for trade in the UK” following the publication of a survey which shows the Eurozone crisis tops the “worry list” of British businesses.

UKIP’s Mike Nattrass said the findings of the survey, produced by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), sendt out “a clear message” that the ongoing economic turmoil in the Eurozone is giving British business people sleepless nights.

According to the BCC’s poll of nearly 2,000 firms, more than half of those involved in the survey said the Eurozone crisis will have a “significant influence” on their business this year and in 2013.

Just less than half of firms (46 per cent) said they were deeply concerned over cuts to UK public sector budgets.

Commenting on the findings of the poll, Mr Nattrass said the Eurozone crisis and the EU itself was “stifling” the British economy, which was “on the cusp of a triple-dip recession”.

He added: “Just last week I commented on new Government figures, which revealed Britain now sends £53 million a day to Brussels.

“Over the years in debates I have asked what are the advantages of Britain’s EU membership are claimed to be and the standard reply has always been ‘the advantages are obvious’ and no facts were given.

“It is clear that leaving the EU will not affect our trade with the EU nor employment and I therefore ask again ‘what are the advantages of our EU membership fee of £53 million per day?’ “Now, this latest poll from the BCC shows the Eurozone crisis tops British business people’s list of worries.

“Last month the UK’s manufacturing slump deepened, with figures showing UK manufacturing shrank the most in more than three years. Manufacturing fell across the Eurozone. Even Germany suffered a decline in new export orders.

“The Eurozone crisis is destroying business confidence and trade. Now, as shown in the recent Emnid poll, most Germans believe their country would be better off outside the Eurozone.

“How can you have countries like Greece and Germany, with their huge economic differences, in the same flawed monetary union? Greece should have never joined the Euro. One size does not fit all.

“We have seen bailout after bailout. All this is doing is prolonging the agony and despair. The creation of the Euro was politically motivated. It was about greater EU integration and the pursuit of creating a United States of Europe.

“The Euro was doomed to failure from the start but the EU thinks more Europe not less Europe is the solution.

“We should pull out of the EU, have a free trade agreement with Europe and trade with the world.”