Diageo, Asda and Greene King Back Britain to Stay in EU

23 Feb 2016 --- The bosses of Diageo, Asda and Greene King are amongst bosses of over a third of Britain’s largest companies who are calling for Britain to stay in the EU. The backing of drinks giant Diageo chief executive Ivan Menezes, Greene King boss Rooney Anand and Asda chief executive Andy Clarke, will be a boon to David Cameron as he looks to lead the fight to keep Britain in the EU.

In a letter to the Times newspaper, around 200 business leaders who employ more than over one million people have backed Cameron in his hopes of keeping Britain as part of the EU.

The shortly worded letter highlights that business benefits from the “unrestricted access to the European market of 500 million people in order to continue to grow, invest and create jobs.”

The letter states: “The businesses we lead represent every sector and region of the UK. Together we employ hundreds of thousands of people across the country. Following the prime minister’s renegotiation, we believe that Britain is better off staying in a reformed European Union. “

“He has secured a commitment from the EU to reduce the burden of regulation, deepen the single market and to sign off crucial international trade deals.”

“Business needs unrestricted access to the European market of 500 million people in order to continue to grow, invest and create jobs. We believe that leaving the EU would deter investment, threaten jobs and put the economy at risk. Britain will be stronger, safer and better off remaining a member of the EU.”

However, those backing that Britain should exit the EU will take solace from the fact that a number of big British companies have not signed the letter, including Tesco and Sainsbury’s.

Critics of the letter are also likely to seize upon the fact that a number of signatories have given money to the Conservative Party or have accepted government roles while Cameron has been in Downing Street.