British Buffett is in the Know
WE MAY only just be getting over the General Election, but politicos are already gearing themselves up for the next battle – the EU referendum.
Yesterday, a new eurosceptic group called The Know announced itself, backed by investor Jim Mellon.
Trade is a key battleground topic in the Europe debate and pro-EU campaigners claim their cause has the backing of corporates and small players alike.
Eurosceptics have tried to counter this. Matthew Elliott, the Westminster campaign guru behind successes such as No2AV, has founded the anti-EU group Business for Britain. The Know is operating in a similar space.
Elliott does not seem concerned by the new kid on the block, telling The Capitalist: “It’s good that senior business people like Jim Mellon realise that if Britain does not get a better deal from the EU, it should leave.”
Alongside former Michael Gove aide Dominic Cummings, Elliott is assumed to be putting together the official No campaign for the crunch vote.
Mellon, the multi-millionaire investor often referred to as the British Warren Buffett, is known as a fan of Nigel Farage. He has put £100,000 into The Know, to help it get off the ground.
Fellow donors to the burgeoning campaign include Richard Tice, and major Ukip donor, Arron Banks, who is most famous for leaving the Tories in a temper.
The Know said that it will lay out some key red lines for David Cameron’s renegotiation, and will campaign vigorously for Britain to leave the EU if they are not met.
It said it is not anti-government, but there to help Cameron. The Capitalist is sure that the PM is very grateful.
■ The creative and the courageous combined at yesterday’s Red Bull Soapbox Race in Alexandra Park, hurling down park lanes in makeshift, if painfully decorated, karts. The race hosted vehicles parading as a toaster, strawberry and sewing machines, lovingly created by the 65 teams competing – complete with impressively elaborate costumes – and 20,000 spectators turned out to watch the carnage. Inspired by the home turf of the race, which takes in jumps and turns that may not leave many intact by the finish line, there was even one soapbox inspired by the DLR – although, thankfully, it wasn’t without a driver. If you like the quirkier side of automobiles (would we call them that?), but missed the fun; head to The Worshipful Company of Carmen’s cart marking parade and ceremony for the City’s vintage wagons and cars. It dates back to when vehicles had to be stamped to operate in the City and will be held this Wednesday at 10:30am in the Guildhall Yard.