Angela Eagle: Labour Party “at one” with business on EU membership

Angela Eagle has claimed Labour’s pro-EU stance is aligned with the views of business following a poll showing that 80 per cent of CBI members back an “in” vote.

The Shadow Business Secretary said that Labour was in tune with the needs of business:

“The Labour Party and business are at one on the need for Britain’s continued membership of the European Union, the largest single market in the world.

“Britain’s world-leading businesses and workers know that a vote to leave the EU is a vote for higher costs and tariffs on our exporters.

“It is absolutely clear that businesses and workers are better off in the EU which helps deliver jobs, growth and investment.”

A total of 211 out of 230 Labour MPs back Britain’s EU membership. Only 132 of 330 Conservative MPs share this position.

The CBI is the biggest business lobby group in the UK. Only five per cent said it was in the interests of their business to leave the EU. The feeling in favour of EU membership was shared across all regions of the UK and all sizes of business, though larger businesses and those based in London were more favourable than those who were not.

This follows a series of pro-business moves from the leadership team, with John McDonnell outlining his plans for investment and innovation last week and Jeremy Corbyn speaking at the British Chamber of Commerce annual conference.