THE continuing eurozone debt crisis is changing the attitudes of UK business leaders towards the European Union, according to the regional head of the Institute of Directors.

A new survey of more than 1,000 IoD members, conducted after the recent EU summit, shows strong support for both the Prime Minister’s veto and a looser relationship with the EU.

More than three-quarters (77%) of IoD members agreed with the use of the veto, including nearly half (46%) who strongly agreed. However, one in five (19%) disagreed, including 11% strongly disagreeing.

Nearly two-thirds (63%) of IoD members would like to see the UK in a looser relationship with the EU, including 42% who said they would like to see a repatriation of some powers, 21% who would like to see the UK withdrawing from the EU while retaining free trade, and 1% who said they would like to see the UK withdrawing altogether.

However, nearly one-third (29%) of IoD members would like to maintain existing levels of political and economic integration and 7% would like deeper integration, including 1% who would like to see a full political and economic union.

An overwhelming 85% think that the measures agreed at the EU summit will fail to solve the eurozone crisis, against just 3% who believe they will succeed.

Chris Parkhouse, IoD chairman in the East of England, said: “The UK’s relationship with Europe is dominated by political and economic uncertainty but the business verdict is very clear. Almost two-thirds of IoD members want to see a looser relationship with the EU.

“There are also significant groups of directors on the other side of the argument, with 29% supporting the status quo and 7% wanting to see more integration.

“The ongoing euro crisis is changing attitudes towards the EU and we simply don’t know what 2012 will bring.”