David Cameron asks business: “help me make the case for Britain to stay” in the EU

David Cameron is giving a speech in Davos later today with a message for British business: he wants to enlist them in his campaign for Britain to stay in the EU. Not that he puts it in such terms. We’re still in a phoney war where, in theory, Cameron is still negotiating, and might very well say that he wants Britain out of the EU. But in practice, the campaign has begun. He has a series of meetings with other EU leaders. He hopes for a deal next month and a referendum in June or July. Any doubt that the campaign has begun should be dispelled by the tone of his speech. Extracts released so far, he says:

“The voice of business must be heard – in Britain and across the whole of the continent. If you agree with me about the changes I am arguing for in Europe; if you want a more competitive Europe, where the Single Market is completed, where there are more trade deals and fewer regulations then join me in making that case. And if you believe like I do that Britain is better off in a reformed European Union then when the time comes, help me make that case for Britain to stay.”

So make no mistake: the campaign has started. The Prime Minister is already leading the case for ‘in’. And who’s leading the case for out? UPDATE: The Prime Minister didn’t quite stick to the script. Here’s what he said:

‘I hope that business and NGOs and other organisations won’t hold back. And I would say don’t hold back right now, even though the question isn’t settled. I think if business backs my reforms: if you want to see the competitive Europe, if you want to see the flexible Europe, if you want to see the Europe where you can be in the eurozone and win, or out of the Eurozone and win, I would argue get out there and support those things. I think it’s important with this which is such a massively important generational question, for Britain and for Europe, the sooner you can start to look at your own businesses and the examples and ideas about the benefits and the problems that there are with Europe, the more you are able to help explain and set the context for this vitally important question for Britain and for Europe.’