The CBI speaks for big business so no great surprise they favour maintaining the Status quo as their overriding concern is making a profit.
We agree that our negotiating position is far stronger than Norway but yes the whole EU has more negotiating clout than we do. It is in our and other member states self interest to come to a mutually advantageous agreement.There seems to be a view that the EU will play hardball leading to UK economic collapse which is scaremongering nonsense.
We are the second largest economy in the EU with a vast thriving market with 66+ million consumers. Our European friends and partners know it is as much in their interest as ours to facilitate a smooth grown up settlement especially considering the relative weakness and many underlying economic problems facing the Eurozone and the wider EU .
Lack of democratic accountability and the ongoing migration crisis leading to the numerous societal problems are also big negative in continued unreformed membership.
It's not scaremongering. Yes, we need each other and yes we would come to a mutually beneficial arrangement in the case of Brexit - but it would not be as advantageous as unhindered and free access to the world's largest internal market. By and large, the EU would write the rules and we have to swallow them. We would still be subject to EU regulations, such as working time directives, but not have any ability to amend them at their source. Though I suppose we can ask Germany and the Netherlands really nicely to make them more competitive and business-friendly on our behalf.
Moreover it's not just about a trade agreement with the EU. As the CBI fact-sheet states
"Upon exit, the UK would no longer benefit from any of the EU’s trade deals with the likes of South Africa, Colombia, South Korea, Norway, Mexico – or the possible future deals with the United States and Japan.
and
The UK would be negotiating any new trade deals on the basis of having 3½% of world GDP, rather than as part of a bloc with 23% of world GDP."
In terms of business Brexit is like tying one-hand behind your back and celebrating your ability to do so.
I'm not arguing a lack of democratic accountability or negative consequences of the migration crisis. I am in favour of reformed membership and not in favour of ever-closer union.