Safeguards for British must be priority following Juncker nomination

1st July 2014

Commenting on the outcome of the European Council meeting in Brussels, where Jean-Claude Juncker was nominated to become the next President of the European Commission, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: -The Prime Minister fought to secure the best possible outcome for Britain, and he was right to do so, but being right doesn't always mean you win.

The campaign for fundamental reform of the European Union is backed by British business, and it must not end here. -The Prime Minister's top priority must now be to secure safeguards for Britain in the face of renewed Eurozone integration. Safeguards against decisions the EU is yet to take are even more important to the future of British business than reforming the EU's existing rules. -He must also ensure that the UK has a top economic portfolio in the new Commission. The Competition brief should be in the Prime Minister's sights. Competition is the one portfolio that will enable a British commissioner to shape key economic decisions during the next five years, which will be a decisive period for Britain's continued membership of the EU.