Bernard Ginns: Do we choose Olympic optimism over angry pessimism?

THE best lines on Europe of the last few days came not from one of the two Nigels, Farage and Lawson, but from David Aaronovitch.

Speaking at the Building Societies Association annual conference in Harrogate, the author and commentator described the choice facing the United Kingdom.

Do its citizens wish to live in the open, optimistic place exemplified by the triumphs of Mo Farah and co at the London Olympics, or in the pessimistic, angry land of Ukip?

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Mr Aaronovitch categorised it succinctly as a choice between “Mo-land or Faragia”.

As ever, the question of Europe has had a hugely divisive effect on the Conservative Party.

“The only thing I can liken it to is what happens to my dog when the doorbell rings,” said Mr Aaronovitch.

“It doesn’t matter who is at the door, it doesn’t matter when the doorbell goes or if it goes for a long time or a short time.

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“It sends her absolutely crazy. It is the one thing absolutely guaranteed to make my dog bark her head off and to make an incredible amount of noise.

“You mention the two words – Europe and referendum – and all of a sudden even very sensible Conservatives go running around barking.”

Observers have identified at least five separate positions within the Conservative Party on the referendum issue since Lord Lawson, the former Chancellor, kicked off the latest debate with his call last week for Britain to leave the European Union.

While the Westminster politicians continue to work themselves up, the rest of us in the real economy in places like Yorkshire soldier on in search of growth in relentlessly challenging markets.

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That’s not to say businesses are disinterested in the question. On the contrary, Europe and, more precisely, the reams of legislation emanating from Brussels have a huge bearing on our companies.

I raised the issue during a lunch with members of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce last week.

Stephen Wright, president of the chamber, said: “Personally speaking, it’s a bit of a no-brainer staying in (the EU). It’s our biggest trading partner, but it needs to be on our terms.

“Too much is driven by smallish interests in certain European countries and not taking into account a broader interest.”

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Members agreed. Jim Hart, chief executive of Saltaire-based Europlus Direct, the international IT services provider and proud new holder of a Queen’s Award for international trade, said: “From a business perspective and an international trade perspective, it’s critical that we stay in in some shape or form.

“It would be a disaster if we pulled out. We would be really isolated.”

But he added: “But obviously on the other side there’s a lot of waste.”

Paul Mackie, chairman of Rex Procter & Partners, described a recent visit to the European parliament.

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“There’s a massive sculpture in the entrance hall. It was introduced as being very big, very complicated and costs a lot of money. That’s Europe,” he said.

Mr Wright, who is managing director of Thorite Group, added: “I agree with the sympathies that it isn’t what we signed up for it to be. There’s a lot of mission drift. But we need to put our influence in place, rather than being seen as just the ‘no’ people.”

Glyn Brown, managing director of Archerdale, a Saltaire-based fastenings and fixings firm, was sceptical about the UK’s ability to influence the EU. He said the impact on business from the European Union has been negative.

“The legislation that’s coming out of Brussels is absolutely frightening,” he added.

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Sandy Needham, chief executive of the chamber, said polls of member businesses show the majority want to stay in the EU, but they don’t like the legislation.

“Why should there be rules on employing people that we are all very good at obeying and then you go to see a competitor in Italy or somewhere else and they completely disregard that bit?

“That’s what really upsets people. You have got to make sense of what’s needed in your country,” she added.

Ms Needham is right. We are very good at obeying rules in this country. Perhaps a little more disobedience might be in order. It certainly doesn’t seem to harm our rivals.

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Back to the Building Societies Association annual conference.

The BSA’s new chairman is David Cutter, chief executive of Skipton Building Society.

Speaking at a dinner on Wednesday, he told industry leaders: “I’m acutely aware that savers are having a hard time.

“It will become a greater issue over the next 12 months. It’s the people in this room who should be standing up and being the voice of savers because if you can’t, it will be very difficult for others to do it.”

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