A week ago, British voters shocked the world when they voted to pull Britain out of the European Union. One of the clearest voices against what's known as "Brexit" visited North Texas this week.
Jeffrey Mountevans is the Lord Mayor of London. He heads the City of London Corporation, which governs the city鈥檚 financial sector. Though the Corporation doesn鈥檛 take political positions, Mountevans told 四虎影院鈥檚 Rick Holter the group had to take a stand against Brexit.
Interview Highlights: Lord Mayor Jeffrey Mountevans鈥�
鈥n why the City of London Corporation weighed in on Brexit:
鈥淚n March, we had a discussion and debate about whether we鈥檇 take a position on this because it strays on the political and we work closely with government of whatever [party] they are. We took a decision that it was right that we take a position on this, this was of great importance to the city and secondly鈥e felt that it was in the interest of the city of London to remain in a reformed EU.鈥�
鈥n how London will cope with Brexit:
鈥淭here will be some change. Change is something we鈥檝e very used to in the city of London. We鈥檙e very adaptable and adaptive. To be honest, I don鈥檛 think any of us think we鈥檙e going to be falling off the edge of a cliff at all. New opportunities constantly arise so we will be looking for those.鈥�
鈥n similarities between the UK and Texas:
鈥淭his is a very sophisticated business environment in Dallas and in Texas, but I think particularly in Dallas, which is a city I know better than some others. You have a very sophisticated investor community. [Texas] is a very important part of the U.S. economy, which is the largest economy in the world. We鈥檙e both leading investors in each other鈥檚 countries.
[Post-Brexit] I think we鈥檒l be looking to minimize any obstacles to business. That鈥檚 been a priority in the UK and that鈥檚 very much been a priority here in Texas too, to be a great place to do business. I think the rest of the world can learn a great deal from Texas.鈥�
