Lord Bamford , chairman of UK construction equipment company JCB, was out a little earlier with a few strong words on the looming matter of Brexit
" We are the 5th or 6th largest economy in the world. We could exist on our own- peacefully and sensibly"
An exit from the EU would enable the UK to "negotiate as our country rather than being one of 28 nations"
Lord Bamford was speaking as the privately-held firm reported £303m in underlying earnings for 2014, compared with £313m in 2013.JCB said the UK's construction boom had helped offset weaker markets globally.
The construction equipment market in both Brazil and China dropped by 17% last year, with Russia down 27% and India by almost 15%, it reported.In contrast, the market for plant machinery in the UK surged by 30%, while in the US it rose 13%.
Overall JCB said sales totalled £2.5bn, down 6% on 2013. Lord Bamford said the firm was "well placed" to capitalise on improving growth in developing countries.
"The need for infrastructure in much of the developing world remains acute and will eventually drive a resumption of growth"
Elsewhere the head of the British Chambers of Commerce John Longworth said that 55% of members were in favour of a "reformed Europe"
The Beeb carries more on the debate here
