Most UK finance directors ‘oppose EU constitution'

Nearly seven out of 10 finance directors in Britain are opposed to the country adopting the new European constitution, while almost none of them are strongly in favour of the new document being adopted, according to an opinion poll for the FT.

As the Labour party prepares to champion the case for a Yes vote in a referendum that may be held next year on the new constitution, the poll by MORI of some 200 finance directors reveals the tough uphilltask facing the government in winning over business.

The poll last week shows that 30 per cent of respondents “strongly oppose” Britain adopting the new treaty. A further 38 per cent say they are “generally opposed” to Britain adopting the European constitution “but could be persuaded in favour of it if I thought it would be good for Britain”.

Only 26 per cent say they are generally in favour of the new constitution. But this latter group “could be persuaded against it if they thought it would be bad for Britain”. A minuscule 4 per cent say they “strongly support Britain adopting the new European constitution”.

Most industry bodies have so far remained neutral on the constitution. If Labour wins a third term in the election on May 5, it will hope to convert the perceived general pro-European sentiment of many of the biggest industry bodies into backing for the constitution itself.

Both the Yes and No camps will aim to convince the relative high numbers of finance directors in the FT's poll who state that their minds are not fully made up. Research earlier this year suggested many business people were simply not up to speed on the issue.


Source: FT