Beaulieu businessman sends pro-Brexit campaign van to Westminster

A PRO-BREXIT businessman from Beaulieu put his money where his mouth is by paying for an illuminated campaign poster to be driven around parliament.

Ian Maiden’s six-metre wide billboard (pictured) carried the message ‘Believe in Britain and a managed clean break’ for two days during Christmas.

Describing himself as “an interested member of the public”, Mr Maiden said: “Rather than just talk, I decided to add my voice to the debate by placing this illuminated message outside parliament.”

His many years in the billboard industry inspired the action timed before MPs are expected to vote on Prime Minister Theresa May’s EU withdrawal deal before 21st January.

“As parliament reassembles following the Christmas recess, the meaningful vote will be upon us almost immediately,” he said.

“There was plenty of clapping and cheering from the pavements as the van drove past.”

Mr Maiden has been involved in nearly a dozen companies, including television advertising and management consultancy, and is now director of Ian Maiden Productions Ltd.

“I strongly believe that Britain will experience a renewed period of prosperity once it re-engages with the fast-growing global economy,” he said.

“Leaving the EU on the so-called no-deal basis is not the worst option but by far the best outcome for the country. It will be led by a new generation of young entrepreneurs.

“We are a powerful economy and will thrive in the global market. We would adopt WTO (World Trade Organisation) rules adhered to by 98% of the existing world trade enjoyed by 164 countries.

“As a member, our trade with the EU would involve a manageable 3% tariff. Remember, of course, that the EU itself is gradually withering away. Mrs May’s half-in half-out proposal is aimed at placating the EU and must not be accepted.”

Regarding the Irish border question, he added: “The link between the border issue and the unspoken threat of a resumption of conflict by Sinn Fein/IRA is tenuous at best, but with modern electronic procedures a hard border can be avoided.”

Other local business people are more fearful of a no-deal Brexit, with New Forest housebuilder Pennyfathing Homes predicting a worst case ‘doomsday scenario’ of soaring interest rates and house prices plunging by 35% over three years.

Research by the UK Trade Policy Observatory at the University of Sussex forecast nearly 3,400 jobs could be lost by New Forest residents under a no-deal Brexit.

Hampshire County Council recently published a report predicting a no-deal Brexit would increase pressure on local services while shrinking funding, as well as potentially grounding aeroplanes for up to seven days, and making recruitment harder for the care and construction industries.