The EU referendum campaign rolls on and with the polls continuing to run at roughly 50:50, the PRCA Midlands Group met yesterday (Wednesday, 15th June) to debate the pros and cons of each side and to determine what the outcome be if it were left to PRCA leaders in the region.
The stage was set by Adrian Wheeler FRPCA, who has over 30 years of experience in public relations, financial communications and public affairs. He set out the main arguments for Remain and Brexit, followed by a moderated round table discussion.
An initial vote was taken to establish current views, with seven members voting for Remain, two for Brexit and two undecided. Wheeler was non-voting.
“You will decide what is better for you, your families, your businesses, your clients… in economic and perhaps sociological terms,” he said. “The facts are so clouded that most people’s votes will be based on feelings, inclinations and sentiment…so the level of emotive rhetoric from Remain and Brexit has run high. I expect our discussion today will be a mixture of facts and feelings.”
Around the table, arguments were well formed and points well-articulated.
Jason Mackenzie MPRCA, Managing Director, Liquid, fiercely in support of Brexit - set the tone for debate: “If we were outside the EU today and we were asked if we wanted to join, we’d say no,” he said. “People are scared, but uncertainties will remain either way.
“The dominant economies of the world are outside the EU, so we should vote to leave.”
His view was backed up by Rave’s John Wilford: “I’m still a little ambivalent, but the business will survive, so I’m voting out.”
In contrast, Gill Holtom MPRCA, Head of PR, Superdream, was one of the strongest Remain supporters: “I work with a lot of international clients and have always felt European first and British second – I think we’re stronger with two hats on that one.”
Mark Fones MPRCA, Deputy Managing Director, Wyatt International, highlighted the duty of care he accepts as a business leader: “We’re potentially heading toward another recession; do we want to face that alone or as part of Europe?
“For me, my duty of care kicks – we’ve done some great things with our business and we want to preserve that and vote for the greater good.”
As the session drew to a close the final vote was taken with only a minor shift – one from borderline to Brexit and one from Remain to neural. Indecision was, however, still dominant and there was a collective view that the quality and credibility of the debate must improve to fully engage and influence the British public, and, ultimately, to get voters off the fence.