Business leaders in East Midlands are advised that Europe must focus on delivery

Speaking, on the 30 June 2005, at a dinner organised by Ambient Events Limited on behalf of The Marketing Group, in association with Britain in Europe, at Pride Park Stadium, Derby, senior Conservatives Lord Patten and Ken Clarke MP told business leaders from across the East Midlands that in the aftermath of French and Dutch No votes against the Constitutional Treaty, Europe must prioritise economic delivery for its electorates.

Opening the evening, Ken Clarke said "it is a pity that the Constitution is dead, but the message we must take from the referendums in France and Holland is that political elites should stop tinkering with institutional changes and get on with business." He said there should be "more delivery and less internal conversations”".

In his speech on the Anniversary of the hand over of Hong Kong to China, Lord Patten argued that the EU is facing major challenges in falling birth rates and increased global competitiveness, particularly from China and India. He echoed Mr Clarke on the rejection of the Constitutional Treaty, "the besetting sin of Europe is a preoccupation with EU institutions rather than the actual product of those institutions". Lord Patten said that European electorates are "fed up with sclerotic economic policies", and that it was unpopularity with national governments that sank the Constitutional Treaty.

But he said "the idea that Britain should opt out or become semi-detached from Europe is just ridiculous. This isn't the moment for leaving a Christmas club let alone the EU." Lord Patten said that "this lengthy nervous breakdown needs ending; otherwise we will find ourselves on the outside. We have a winning argument for the future. We should not be saddled with old demons".

The dinner attracted 120 business leaders from across the East Midlands who represented a wide spread of opinion on the importance of Europe in a global economy.

SMS  Conference and Incentive Coordinator, Jonathan Cremona flew in specially from Malta ton attend the event and found Lord Patten full of enthusiasm for all that the island has to offer.

Lord Patten of Barnes pictured at Pride Park Stadium, Derby with (left) Mr Jonathan Cremona, SMS Conferences & Incentives, Malta and (right) Mrs Melanie Noble, European Logistics Management Limited who flew in from Ireland.

If you are planning a conference, sales meeting and incentive in the near future why call Ambient Events Limited on +44 (0)1623 821 510 and find out how our planning and event project management services can ensure your event is successful and stress free?