MPs and industry figures clash in heated Brexit debate

The debate which comprised a mixture of politicians and industry figures provoked both admiration and anger from delegates.

Asked by TTG whether easyJet chief executive Carolyn McCall was right to suggest that holiday prices would rise or if she was scaremongering, Clive Jacobs, chairman of Jacobs Media Group responded: “[IAG chief executive] Willie Walsh has said there would be no impact, and his is a much bigger business than easyJet. Carolyn McCall has got a knighthood recently, and then she comes and says there will be an impact [on air fares]. If she says that, why doesn’t Walsh?”

When questioned by Silversea UK commercial director Lisa McCauley, Jacobs clarified, “McCall has a knighthood order, so she’s more loyal [to the government].

McCauley fired back that perhaps Walsh, who is pro-Remain, in turn was “more concerned about share price”.

Elsewhere delegates quizzed the Remain advocates, who comprised McCauley, former Labour MEP Michael Cashman and ex-Labour MP Peter Snape, as to why the EU had been allowed to not file its accounts and lose €5 billion a year due to corruption.

“If I did the same with my business I would be in handcuffs,” said Stephen Bath, founder of Bath Travel.

Cashman admitted there were flaws with the EU, but insisted any money lost remained a “relatively low” percentage.

Speakers offered passionate arguments for both sides throughout the debate.

McCauley stressed the importance of continuing to work together with our European neighbours. “I’m not blind to the challenges of being an EU member, but history and academic research tells us that collaboration will deliver more success than being a lone ranger,” she said.

Meanwhile Jacobs insisted he “believed in immigration,” but added, “the EU is currently heading in the wrong direction.

“If we vote Brexit at least we can look after the best interests of our country, and not go down with the sinking ship.”

However despite strong attempts from Leave campaigners, which included Jacobs, Ukip MEP Jim Carver and Conservative MP Steve Double, they failed to convince the audience, which largely comprised Remain supporters.

A poll of delegates before and after showed instead a notable increase for support in staying in Europe.

Prior to the debate some 65% said they were in favour of Remain, compared with 28% Leave and 8% who said they were unsure.

However by the end, the Remain side had managed to win over 76%, while 21% said they were still in favour of Leave and 3% were undecided.