Britain will vote overwhelming to remain in Europe, if the results of a Burgess Hill ballot are mirrored in next month’s referendum. 

The Remain Campaign was given a resounding victory at a mock poll conducted on Friday at a business event where the first ballot cast was by Mid Sussex MP, the pro European Sir Nicholas Soames.

From among 102 clean votes counted at Burgess Hill Means Business – an annual event attracting hundreds of SMEs - 35 were in favour of Britain heading for the exit while 67 wanted the country to remain at the heart of the EU.

Sir Nicholas took the opportunity to drive home the Remain Campaign’s message, telling a packed hall of visitors and exhibitors; “Burgess Hill depends on access to free export markets and in particular to the single biggest export market in the world, the European Union.  In an increasingly difficult and dangerous world, with a still growing economy and very low interest rates, it would seem to me to be folly to vote to leave the European Union especially when the agenda is moving so dramatically in Britain’s direction.”

Peter Liddell, co-ordinator of Burgess Hill Business Parks Association, which organised the ballot as part of its annual B2B event, said: “This close to the real referendum, such a positive vote in favour of staying within the EU was a telling result. It shows the business community is not as divided as perhaps the rest of the UK over Britain’s future relationship with Europe.”

The eighth Burgess Hill Means Business attracted a steady flow of visitors to the King’s Centre to network with more than 70 exhibitors from across the Mid-Sussex business community. A wandering magician and a harpist lifted spirits while the now annual Chairman’s Charity Darts Challenge in support of St Peter & St James Hospice again proved popular. The proceeds from the oche topped up a cheque for £3,318.25 raised by a BHBPA team effort in the recent Warrior Run, which was presented to the hospice’s Carolyn Robinson.

Mr Liddell said Burgess Hill Means Business had once again demonstrated a high level of co-operation among local companies. “There was a constant buzz throughout the day with many reporting significant business leads.”

Sir Nicholas with Jane Plumb, Chief Executive of Group B Strep Support and Sandra Kadan from Accelerated Mail at the Burgess Hill Means Business Exhibition on Friday, 6th May, 2016