An early 2016 EU referendum would reduce the chances of EU reform

Calls by the British Chamber of Commerce in February 2015 for an early referendum on the question of UK membership of the EU are misplaced says Christopher Howarth. They will not reduce uncertainty, but will limit the time the Government has to push for EU reform.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: UK businesses want change to EU terms, says lobby group http://www.europeansources.info/record/uk-businesses-want-change-to-eu-terms-says-lobby-group/

Open Europe: Tag: Brexit http://openeurope.org.uk/blog/tags/brexit/

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: Poll: Only 1% of British bosses want UK to leave the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/poll-only-1-of-british-bosses-want-uk-to-leave-the-eu/

EurActiv, 10.02.15: UK business group calls for early vote on EU exit http://www.euractiv.com/sections/uk-europe/uk-business-group-calls-early-vote-eu-exit-311976

BCC: Press Release, 10.02.15: John Longworth at BCC Annual Conference: ‘We need a business plan for Britain’ http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/press-office/press-releases/john-longworth-speech-at-bcc-annual-conference-%E2%80%98we-need-a-business-plan-for-britain%E2%80%99.html

The Conversation, 11.02.15: Uncertainty about Brexit is bad for business, says BCC chief http://theconversation.com/uncertainty-about-brexit-is-bad-for-business-says-bcc-chief-37485

The Guardian, 19.02.15: Ed Miliband demands EU referendum details from David Cameron http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/feb/19/ed-miliband-demands-eu-referendum-details-david-cameron

---