With a new vote on EU membership now inevitable and with so much hanging on the outcome, the Industry Forum is pushing hard to discuss and understand the issues.

On 8^th September, Alan Johnson MP, the head of Labour’s pro-EU campaign, led a great Industry Forum discussion on ‘Why we should say ‘Yes’ to Europe. A few days later, Rod Dowler was interviewed about EU membership on Share Radio and gave his views based on working in Europe and for a number of parts of the European Commission. https://audioboom.com/boos/3559023-should-businesses-support-eu-membership-roddowler-industryforum-on-the-eureferendum

At the Labour Conference, in Brighton, one of the first fringe meetings was a ‘Rally for yes!’ Alan Johnsons’ natural enthusiasm shone out of the enveloping gloom of the Odeon Brighton as he kicked off a strong line of MPs, MEPs and trade union people supporting EU membership while keen to keep social benefits as well single market benefits.

The atmosphere at the Conservative conference in Manchester was more siege-like given the heavy presence of protestors outside the secure zone. This did not affect a great POLICY FACTOR! meeting on ‘How can Cameron win in Europe?’ Charles Grant of Centre for European Reform kicked off with a moderate and well argued pro-EU introduction. David Lidington, Minister for Europe, and Lord Borwick gave some fascinating insights into the objectives and complexities of the pre-referendum negotiations.

Last week, the ‘Britain Stronger in Europe’ campaign launched under the leadership of Lord Stuart Rose. The moderate and well-honed arguments of this business-backed alliance were hardly novel but did highlight the scale of our present business involvement with Europe and the uncertain nature of the alternatives.

Our conclusions from these initial campaign skirmishes are that four key questions stand out:

How could the shortcomings of the EU be fixed without losing its benefits?
What would be the realistic economic outcome of leaving the EU and what is a likely period of adjustment?
What are the geopolitical risks associated with a less-united Europe and how might they affect economic security?
Assuming a vote to remain, what would be needed to make the EU economically more successful and politically more attractive?

At present, the answers to these questions are not clear. Throughout the period until the referendum, therefore, the Industry Forum will be probing these, and related questions and inviting leading policy makers and commentators to help explore the key issues and help come to the best and most objective conclusion for the UK.

Some implications for the European Union of the 2015 Mary Meeker report on Internet trends - A report by Cameron Thompson at the Global Policy Institute

Download your copy here: Is Europe losing the Internet race

In September 2015 the Industry Forum organised a lively panel discussion, hosted by techUK, on the challenges faced by legacy banks. The speakers were: Keith Saxton, Chair of the techUK Financial Services Council, Josh Ryan-Collins, Associate Director, Economy and Finance, New Economics Foundation and Travers Clarke-Walker, Chief Marketing Officer – International Group, Fiserv.

Download your copy of the presentation here: Legacy Banks Slides

Man-Made: Why so few women are in positions of power by Eva Tutchell and John Edmonds

A summary, by the authors of their recently published book which shows that, despite years of apparent progress, real power in business and politics is still predominantly in the hands of men.

Download a copy of Man-Made Summary

In June 2015 Andrew Smith, formerly Chief Economist at KPMG, gave a detailed analysis of the overall economic landscape and how things could play out for the UK.

Download a copy of the slides here: Economic Prospects for the UK - 15 June 2015

This report by Andreas Capstack is intended as a counterpoint to the British government’s 'EU Balance of Competencies Review', which was commissioned to explore the areas in which the EU benefits the UK. The review drew attention to some of the benefits which the UK gains from European security cooperation, and areas in which the EU has failed to fulfil expectations but it stopped short of exploring how British security could draw greater benefit from the EU, and how the EU’s security shortcomings could be overcome.

Download a copy - The EU in the future of British security