by Neil Murphy, CEO of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce.

I HAD the pleasure of hosting my first Somerset in Business Conference on June 4, which was held at Junction 24 in Bridgwater.
In my previous life I have taken part in a number of similar events all over the world, and on a range of topics from Automotive Platform Engineering to Banking Systems.
The quality and professionalism on display at this year’s Somerset in Business Conference was as good as any I have attended and certainly better than most.
Our guest speakers were strong and passionate about their business, the staging was first class, and the exhibitors were fantastic.
There was a real buzz around the venue and I felt that the event really underlined Somerset’s vibrant and diverse economy.
Media coverage of the event was strong and it was highly relevant that BBC News was covering the EU debate as their lead story that day.
The team from BBC Somerset were on site, teasing out the views of the Somerset business leaders.
Membership of the EU is an emotive subject and the Prime Minister has committed to leading the country in a referendum on the subject in 2017.
Many people feel strongly that laws are passed by a government they did not vote for, and that the regulations imposed by Brussels interfere with the way they live their lives. It is often difficult to disagree with this view.
Membership of a reformed EU, however, is important for business.
An isolated UK will have serious consequences for the large corporations that have their headquarters here.
Our relationship with our global partners suddenly takes on a different dimension.
What will our relationship with the US be like if we are not part of a unified Europe?
Will the booming economy of China have the same appetite to trade with the UK if access to our European colleagues does not come as part of the package?
What will be the impact on our economic growth, and if this is negative, what will that mean to our individual personal wealth and job security?
The government must provide detailed and precise information to the British public, in order for us to make an informed decision.
It is imperative that we vote with our heads and not our hearts!