On 10/06/2016 11:09, T i m wrote:
On Fri, 10 Jun 2016 10:13:42 +0100, John Rumm
wrote:

On 10/06/2016 00:03, T i m wrote:

Back on topic ... I think I'd rather take notice of someone *like*
Richard Branson, a businessman who is not generally considered to be
pure evil as the hope they would have a better viewpoint on the
'bigger picture' (being party to much higher level meetings than me)
and therefore more likely to backing the 'best thing' (as the chances
are no one choice will be 100% 'right').

I thought the above even before the flyer came though the door (today)
where I see Mr Branson is quoted as saying leaving the EU "would be
very damaging for Great Britain".

The difficulty is that "big" business sees lots of advantages in being
in the EU. Small and medium businesses seem to see far fewer advantages.
However its small and medium businesses that create most of the jobs and
GDP.


Whist you are probably right, it's not just about job creation is it?
I was thinking someone used to dealing with stuff on an
*international* scale (like Sr R.B.) *might* have a better view of the
bigger picture, especially than yer local plumber (for example)?

Indeed he will - but will tend to be influenced by how that affects him
and his businesses. If you have dreams that your businesses will "expand
into europe" etc or if your business already has strong ties into
Europe, then the EU will make lots of sense to you.

Your local plumber probably does not care much - although will see less
new regulation and eco meddling in what he does, and so will prefer to
be less tightly bound to the EU. He may also feel less threatened by the
possibility of priced out of work by people operating without his costs
or overheads.

You are right, its not just about job creation - its about that, and
trade, and legislation, and red tape and loads of other things. However
its seems likely that if you just want to get on and run a local
business, you will have an easier time in a less heavily regulated
environment.

Now, ultimately which is better for the UK as a whole? Doing things that
will benefit the SMEs providing the bulk of the employment and wealth
generation, or doing what will benefit the larger enterprise that has
more visibility, profile, and a much louder "voice"? We need both, but
probably can't keep all of them happy all of the time!


--
Cheers,

John.

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