Pram-maker urges business to fight EU treaty red tape

Dec 17 2007 by Bill Gleeson, Liverpool Daily Post

A LEADING north west businessman is urging the region’s firms to join his campaign to demand a referendum about the EU’s new Treaty of Lisbon. signed on Thursday.

Alan Halsall, who owns Skipton-based pram-maker Silver Cross, is chairman of the I Want a Referendum Campaign. He is warning other business owners that there could be costly consequences that could adversely affect the competitiveness of British business if the treaty is ratified in its current form.

Mr Halsall said: “Business in the region is already strangled by red tape coming out of Europe.

“This treaty will mean more will follow.

“I would urge firms in the Merseyside area to get involved in our campaign.

“We are walking into a new constitutional treaty. We were promised a vote, but now we are not getting one.”

Business lobby groups fear that the treaty may mean that Britain’s opt-out from the 48-hour working week will be lost, tougher regulation may constrain the growth of the UK financial services industry, and that new EU directives may give temporary and agency workers beefed-up rights.

Mr Halsall added: “This could come about as early as next year, and it would impact on jobs.

“The treaty would give the EU a new general power to take measures to ensure co-ordination of employment policies of member states.”