There was widespread relief in boardrooms after the electorate rejected Ed Miliband’s anti-business rhetoric, but corporate concern soon turned to Mr Cameron’s pledge to hold a vote within two years.
Attempts were being made to build a coalition of Britain’s biggest companies to lobby to remain inside the EU.
Blue-chip firms held meetings during the election campaign about how to mobilise public support, amid concerns that business has hitherto failed to speak up effectively on the issue.
Business leaders lined up to back the plans for a new campaign this weekend.
