This morning BSE spinners for the EU claimed a new report by Boris’ economics advisor says Brexit could wipe £210 billion off London’s economy. Yet if you actually read Dr Gerard Lyons’ report, that isn’t what he says at all. The BSE press release arrives at that figure by quoting the section of Lyons’ report about the “best case” scenario of Britain remaining in a reformed EU. They conveniently forget to mention that Lyons concludes the EU has not been reformed by Cameron’s renegotiation.
So what does Lyons actually say? In the scenario of the EU staying unreformed and Britain then deciding to Leave, he predicts London would be £120 billion better off. His personal Twitter account gives a more accurate reflection of his position:
Effectively the choice is between staying in an unreformed EU versus standing on our own two feet, in charge of own destiny.#Remain #Brexit
— Gerard Lyons (@DrGerardLyons) February 20, 2016
Anyone following the campaigns closely should know Lyons is not a Remainer…
1/ the Sunday Telegraph has a news story saying business is pro the deal citing CBI – perhaps should say big business #Brexit #Remain
— Gerard Lyons (@DrGerardLyons) February 21, 2016
2/
"It is inescapable that…EU itself remains largely unreformed" said John Longworth Dir Gen British Chambers of Commerce #Remain #Brexit— Gerard Lyons (@DrGerardLyons) February 21, 2016
3/ Chief Exec of CityUK praised the deal … I am on the board of CityUK & thought deal far from what City wanted or needed #Brexit #Remain
— Gerard Lyons (@DrGerardLyons) February 21, 2016
4/ City needed veto to safeguard itself versus Eurozone countries. EZ has over 2/3rds votes & needs to centralise further #Brexit #Remain
— Gerard Lyons (@DrGerardLyons) February 21, 2016
5/ while CityUK is clearly pro EU it had good report last year calling for over 30 reforms in EU. We haven't got those. #Remain #Brexit
— Gerard Lyons (@DrGerardLyons) February 21, 2016
a/ In Indy the Energy Sec Amber Rudd says you have to back #Remain campaign to maintain capital's position as world's lead fin centre
— Gerard Lyons (@DrGerardLyons) February 21, 2016
b/ I am not so sure regarding that. Leaving the EU is disruptive not deadly for The City of London #Brexit #Remain
— Gerard Lyons (@DrGerardLyons) February 21, 2016
c/ Alex Brummer wrote good piece in Mail in Saturday on why City could still thrive outside EU. Clearly different opinions. #Remain #Brexit
— Gerard Lyons (@DrGerardLyons) February 21, 2016
/ Just as City years ago wanted to join the Eurozone & ditch £ it now wants to stay in EU. Perhaps Known unknowns versus unknown unknowns
— Gerard Lyons (@DrGerardLyons) February 21, 2016
