College chairman Digby Jones backs 'Brexit'

LORD Digby Jones – the recently appointed chairman of Stratford-upon-Avon College – was at his trademark rabble-rousing best when he backed 'Brexit' at Stratford Business Forum’s May Big Breakfast yesterday, Friday.

The college itself hosted the monthly event during which the former Director General of the Confederation of British Industry and former Trade and Industry Minister declared he would reluctantly be voting to leave the EU when the referendum is held on Thursday, 23 June.

Stratford-on-Avon MP Nadhim Zahawi, and leading south Warwickshire businessman, Tony Bird, Denys Shortt and Johnnie Arkwright have all called for the UK to go it alone.

Among those in the 'remain' camp are Kenilworth and Southam MP Jeremy Wright, several Stratford District councillors, Sir Peter Rigby, and Larry Coltman, the Stratford-based president of the South Warwickshire branch of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.

Lord Jones said he believed the EU was guilty of ‘dumbing down’ some of the 28 member states and said while the UK would face a turbulent two or three years if it voted to leave, he believed in the long term it would be the right decision.

Delegates also heard from Nicola Mannock, Principal and Chief Executive of Stratford College, its Head of Employer Engagement, Stevie Edmund-Jones, and Chloe Gardner, who has been studying at the college as part of her apprenticeship with QHotels’ Stratford Manor where she is employed as a Commis Chef.

Chloe recently won a competition to have her own dish on the menu at QHotels across the country.

The next Big Breakfast takes place at the new Boston Tea Party café at the top of Henley Street, Stratford, on Friday, 17 June, from 7am. To book a place, see www.stratford-business-forum.co.uk