EU Referendum will not damage ecconmy.

 NEW - Posted 10th November 2014

David Cameron

David Cameron: "Simply standing here and just saying 'I will stay in Europe...' that is not a strategy"

David Cameron has rejected claims an EU referendum will damage the UK economy, criticising those who argue the UK should stay in the EU "come what may".

The prime minister told business leaders that the UK was securing more inward investment than the whole of the EU despite his 2017 referendum pledge.

He suggested a better deal would be good for "shareholders and customers".

Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg will also address the issue of Europe when they speak at the CBI's annual conference.

With a general election six months away, the three leaders of the largest Westminster parties are seeking to reassure business leaders that their views on an EU referendum are in the UK's national and economic interest.

Businesses have warned that the prospect of a referendum is causing uncertainty and could deter them from looking to expand or hiring new workers.
'Nod and wink'
But Mr Cameron rejected claims a referendum would destabilise the economic recovery, suggesting there were months when the UK was securing more inward investment than the whole of the EU combined despite the warnings about its future membership.

"If there has been uncertainty, why is it that there has been such an extraordinary period of investment into our country?" he told the conference.

He added: "The worst thing for us to do as a country is to pretend that this European debate is not happening. The best thing is to get out there and make the arguments."