The Evening Standard is to host a major public debate on the potential impact on the City of London of Britain quitting the European Union.
With David Cameron promising an in/out referendum on EU membership after the next election, “Brexit” is higher up the political agenda than at any time since the last national poll in 1975. Yet there has been little attention given to the seismic implications for the capital’s vital financial services sector in the Square Mile, Docklands and Mayfair.
Over the next seven weeks the Standard will run a series of articles on The City in Europe, examining the arguments on both sides of the debate.
Would an exit devastate the City’s status as the financial gateway to Europe or liberate it from damaging Brussels meddling? It will culminate in a public debate at the Guildhall building in the heart of the City on September 9.
A high-profile panel will put the case for and against continued membership from the perspective of the City and the broader business community. Speaking in favour of staying in are Business Secretary Vince Cable, economist Vicky Pryce and captain of industry Sir Martin Sorrell, chief executive of the world’s biggest marketing group WPP. Those against continued membership are entrepreneur Luke Johnson, Tory back-bencher Jesse Norman and German-born Labour MP Gisela Stuart.
Debate: Will the City prosper if Britain leaves the EU?
September 9, 6.45–8pm (doors open at 6.15)
Old Library, Guildhall, Gresham Street, London, EC2
Tickets: standardevents.co.uk/europe
