Lord Rothschild: Brexit would be 'damaging and disorderly'

Family businesses has enjoyed operating across Europe

Jayna Rana
clock • 2 min read

Lord Jacob Rothschild has said leaving the EU could lead to a "damaging and disorderly situation" in the UK as he urged Britons to vote 'remain'.

Writing in a comment piece for the The Times, Lord Rothschild, said readers should not "risk the wellbeing of our country"and European countries are "better off together".

Rothschild (pictured), who chairs the RIT Capital Partners investment trust, refers to his family businesses which originated with five brothers setting up the "first truly international banking system," operating from London, Paris, Vienna, Naples and Frankfurt at the end of the 18th century.

He said: "The brothers, working together to exchange information and ideas, built an extraordinary business that operated across boundaries and cultures.

"150 years later, the foundation of the EEC operated on similar principles, namely that we are stronger and better off together."

Rothschild also alludes to a number of major independent institutions, including the IMF, OECD and the Bank of England, all of which have warned against leaving the EU as it would cause the UK economy to suffer.

The OECD have said UK GDP could fall more than 3% in the case of a Brexit and believes the UK's "economic dynamism and productivity" would suffer.

Lord Rothschild: 'We may well be in the eye of a storm'

Commenting on political and foreign policy, Rothschild said we live in a time when "international order based on co-operation is crucial to prosperity and security".

He added: "At present we enjoy being a permanent member of the UN security council and we are essential to the G8 and Commonwealth. But diplomacy, defence, the environment and our values of being a liberal democracy will all be at risk."

He also pointed out that a vote to leave the EU would increase the risk of Scotland calling for another referendum and the future of the UK as a coherent entity will be at stake.

"I can see no good reason why we should accept our playing a diminished role on the world stage," he said.

More on UK

Andy Burnham: 'Britain needs to show the world we can regain our stability'
UK

Andy Burnham: 'Britain needs to show the world we can regain our stability'

Cabinet to be confirmed

Michael Nelson
clock 20 July 2026 • 2 min read
Friday Briefing: End of a Keir-a
UK

Friday Briefing: End of a Keir-a

Friday Briefing

Patrick Brusnahan
clock 20 July 2026 • 3 min read
Burnham ready to lead 'authentically Labour' party as he takes the helm
UK

Burnham ready to lead 'authentically Labour' party as he takes the helm

Becomes PM on Monday (20 July)

Michael Nelson
clock 17 July 2026 • 2 min read
Trustpilot