One of the most influential and learned figures in the British European debate is Rodney Leach. In the 1990s, he helped lead those of his fellow businessmen who became convinced that the abolition of the pound would be a disaster. He was a moving spirit in Business for Sterling and then in the ‘No’ campaign against the euro. This did much to persuade Gordon Brown, as Chancellor, to ditch euro entry plans in 2004. The following year, Lord Leach set up Open Europe, and continues as its chairman to this day. It is the most trusted think tank for research and debate on all EU questions, and is incredibly useful for the media because of its daily press digests, which enable us to follow the debate across the entire Continent. Open Europe has always been Eurosceptic in the exact meaning of that word — not necessarily opposed, but questioning. Its first two directors went on to work for pro-EU politicians — Neil O’Brien, now an adviser to George Osborne, and Mats Persson, who now works for David Cameron on European issues.
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