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British Industry Group to Back ‘No’ Campaign in Scottish Independence Vote

© Flickr / Barney MossBritish Industry Group to Back ‘No’ Campaign in Scottish Independence Vote
British Industry Group to Back ‘No’ Campaign in Scottish Independence Vote - Sputnik International
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A group representing British industry has announced it will back a campaign opposing independence for Scotland in an upcoming referendum, despite hostility to the move from its own membership.

EDINBURGH, April 18 (RIA Novosti) – A group representing British industry has announced it will back a campaign opposing independence for Scotland in an upcoming referendum, despite hostility to the move from its own membership.

The Confederation of British Industry Scotland has registered with the Electoral Commission, the body that will oversee the referendum on September 18, which will allow CBI to donate up to $250,000 toward the “Better Together” campaign.

The CBI told RIA Novosti its decision reflected the concerns of businesses that employ 500,000 people across Scotland.

“Our concern is that the Union remains the best way to secure jobs and growth in Scotland and we very much believe that the UK is stronger together,” CBI spokesman Christopher Grummett told RIA Novosti.

But the move has drawn criticism from some of CBI’s own members, who are angry the organization did not consult them before making the decision.

“It is abundantly clear that the CBI is not representing its members’ views honestly,” said Tony Banks, a prominent CBI member who runs a group of care homes in Scotland.

“I am therefore writing to Director General John Cridland today, withdrawing my company’s membership,” he told RIA Novosti.

Banks added CBI represents very few companies in Scotland and “mostly represents those based in London.”

“Much more importantly, on the question of Scotland's future, the CBI have shown themselves to be part of the ‘No’ campaign and not an impartial or thoughtful organization representing well the interests of their membership," Banks said.

The CBI previously opposed Scottish devolution, a decision that brought about the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999. Confirmation that they will back the ‘No’ campaign was dismissed by the Scottish National Party, who are currently in power in Edinburgh.

Business for Scotland, an organization supporting a ‘Yes’ vote in September’s referendum, said the decision would seriously weaken CBI’s credibility.

The referendum in September will ask Scottish voters a simple yes or no question: “Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?”

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