BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: The Paul Stainton Biggest Breakfast Show

Does British business need the EU if it is to compete on the world stage? According to Professor Simon Deakin, Director of the Centre for Business Research, Cambridge Judge Business School, speaking on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire on 30 January, the UK’s access to the single market is important for maintaining the competitiveness of British firms, while there is no evidence that EU membership diverts trade away from other markets such as the US or China. Legally, there is no simple ‘in or out’ for the UK: if we were to leave the EU, we would have to negotiate a new free trade agreement of the kind that Switzerland or Norway have. It is not credible for Eurosceptics to argue that the EU would simply accept British demands for exemption from core EU rules. The EU is unlikely to compromise on such a fundamental principle as free movement for labour. Professor Deakin opposes Patrick O’Flynn, lead candidate for UKIP in the Eastern region for the 2014 European elections, who says UK should leave the European Union. Professor Deakin was also cited in the news throughout the day. Listen from 1hr 06 mins and 50sec, and from 2hrs 06 mins 30 sec.

Listen now   [bbc.co.uk]