The UK out of the EU would be bad for business...or would it?

I think the UK should definitely leave the EU – well I did yesterday, but today I'm not sure, and maybe you, like me, find yourself changing your mind depending on what article you've just read, what TV programme you've just watched, or whether you've recently come back from a holiday on the Continent. 

The problem is there is a strong chance we may not get a referendum at all and if we do it will only be "by 2017", if Cameron and the Tories get back in, which is a big 'if'.  As a result we aren't having an all out debate, where both sides put forward their best arguments and we, the great unwashed, weigh them up and make a decision. The British electorate are a pretty sensible bunch but no one wants to seem to trust us with this 'in or out' decision; yet surely that is democracy and all sorts of bad things happen when you ignore it.  A recent Sky News poll showed 49% in favour of remaining in the EU and 51% in favour of leaving, so it's pretty much split down the middle and it would appear to me like we are all waiting to hear the arguments and be convinced either way.

I found it somewhat bizarre when Barack Obama decided to warn the Brits not to leave the EU and said it would be bad for our political influence and even more importantly bad for business. He may well be right, but in the Financial Times (5.6.13) a survey somewhat contradicted his views with 72% of US and 66% of Asian investors saying a looser relationship with the EU would make Britain more attractive. See what I mean – you read this and it changes your view.... again.

So come on politicians of all political persuasions, trust the British people and all commit to an 'in or out' referendum, sooner rather than later. We're not as stupid as you seem to think and we'll digest all the different arguments and then come to a sensible decision, whatever that may be.