Branson: We’re stronger in Europe than as ‘an island to ourselves’

Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson today said Britain cannot be “an island to ourselves” as he headed a powerful line-up of business figures backing a vote to stay in the European Union.

They were joined by former top policeman Sir Hugh Orde, who argued that criminals would escape justice if the country votes to leave the EU in the referendum promised by Prime Minister David Cameron.

Today’s launch of a new umbrella campaign marked a step-change in the battle between the stay and the leave camps ahead of the national vote, expected in the next two years.

Sir Richard and Apprentice star Baroness Brady took part in a launch video. The Virgin entrepreneur said: “Being part of Europe means we are part of one of the biggest trading blocs in the world. So the bottom line is that we are much stronger being a part of Europe than being an island to ourselves.” Sir Hugh, former president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, warned: “Crime crosses boundaries. It does not respect individual countries. We will keep citizens in our countries far safer by remaining within Europe.”

West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady added: “Whether on the pitch or in the boardroom, people are stronger when they work together.”

BT chairman Sir Mike Rake, who was confirmed as the group’s co-treasurer, denied its aim was to frighten voters.

“It’s not trying to scare people,” he said. “Business has an obligation, a duty and a right to say these are the things. It is not a question of fear, it is a question of reality.”

Former Marks & Spencer chief Lord Rose said: “To claim that the patriotic course for Britain is to retreat, withdraw and become inward looking is to misunderstand who we are as a nation. The quitters cannot guarantee that jobs would be safe and prices wouldn’t rise.”

Critics said the parade of big names echoed the unsuccessful campaign launched under Tony Blair to persuade people to join the European single currency 15 years ago.

Some of the supporters were the same, including Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Kenneth Clarke and Lord Mandelson. “How many of them still want Britain to join the Euro?” jeered Ukip MP Douglas Carswell.

The event was clouded by uncertainty about the deal that Mr Cameron hopes to achieve before calling a referendum. New insider accounts of his negotiations suggest that other countries are “confused” about what Mr Cameron wants because he has refused to put down his demands on paper for fear of them leaking out. “We cannot ask for five cakes and come back with three,” one senior figure told the FT.

London Mayor Boris Johnson is among the big names who say they will only decide how to campaign after they see the deal Mr Cameron comes back with, possibly after a December summit.