REUTERS-A leading donor to
Theresa May's Conservative Party warned on Saturday he would cut his financial
support if the government pulled Britain out of the European single
market as
part of Brexit negotiations.
Andrew Cook,
chairman of engineering firm William Cook, backed remaining in the EU during
last June's referendum. He said it was critical the country maintained its
membership of the single market or jobs would be lost.
"I would find
it impossible under those circumstances (to keep donating to the Conservative
Party should it back leaving the single market)," the Times newspaper
quoted him as saying.
"...It is very
difficult to make a political donation to a party when, although I support it
ideologically, I do not believe that my interests and my ideology are ...(in
agreement) with the principal Brexiteers."
Britain's historic
vote to leave the group it joined in 1973 has divided the country sharply, with
many businessmen and women fearing that companies will face tariff and
non-tariff barriers to continue trading into Europe.
May's party, once
led by Margaret Thatcher, is traditionally close to the business community and draws
much of its funds from individual donations.
Prime Minister May
has so far said little publicly about her negotiating position ahead of what
are expected to be some of the most complicated international talks Britain has
engaged in since World War Two.
She has said she
will ensure the "best possible access" to the European market but
some investors fear the government will opt for a 'hard Brexit' by prioritizing
immigration controls over ensuring full access to the single market.
Cook, who was not immediately
available to comment, has donated more than 1 million pounds ($1.23 million) to
the Conservative Party in recent years according to data on the Electoral
Commission website.
REUTERS
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