Jim Doherty: "either EU brings forward reforms or game over"

AP: You are in a special position now, as a British businessman living in the EU, developing your company and also investing in the EU. What are your personal feelings just a few days before the vote?

JD: I feel that the referendum is the right initiative at the right time. Serious issues relating to the governance of Europe must be debated openly, and Brussels must be accountable for its actions. However I am a little dismayed at the poor quality of debate and lack of facts available.

The debate in the UK has become emotional - no problem with that - but subjective too, and the politicians on both sides are being rightfully accused of scaremongering. Perhaps that's all they can do when we can only speculate on the outcome of a possible Brexit. I see posters on the side of the road from the leave campaign saying "we want our country back" and I wonder what that actually means. At what point in history do the leavers want to go back to?

Is Europe solely accountable for many Brits now wanting their country back or is the whole world changing in a way which makes the past so much more attractive? If that is the case, it's a mistake to blame the EU for the problem, because the solution isn't to leave, it's to reform.

As we are getting closer to the date of voting, it seems - according to several pre-poll statistics - that the number of leavers is overtaking the group of those who want to stay in. Do you see it in the same way? If yes, what can be the reason of it, and what is your bet about the result?

I think the leavers are louder than the "remainers" so that it may sound like a bigger group of people than it actually is. The leavers are making more progress with their slogans like "we want our country back" and being anti-EU membership in this debate is probably easier than being pro-Europe due to the recent and dramatic demographic changes across Europe.

Yes, the polls are indicating a swing towards the leave campaign but all the betting shops (you did ask about my bet) indicate between 55% and 65% in favour of remain. I agree with betting shops! We will remain.

What is the main goal for leaving the EU? Could it be better outside than inside for such a country like the UK?

I think the main goal is control. Control of the British legal system and control of our borders and migration. Really these are the main points.

Britain wants to be able to control its own destiny and not be ruled by Europe. To the second part of your question I say nobody really knows. If Britain can govern itself and still trade with Europe (which is hopefully not damaged by Brexit), then I guess the goal will have been achieved.

None of the EU-opinions in connection with the leaving of the UK are optimistic. Is it truly a dangerous, dreadful future for the continent to let the UK be free?

If Britain leaves the EU and doesn't fail afterwards, then every other country will question the European model. When that happens I think it could be game-over for the EU. My hope is that the EU will reform itself before that happens and the benefits of being a member of a bigger state should become more apparent. It will need to be real and fundamental reform, well communicated, not just political gloss.

What would be the effects of Brexit on the Hungarian automotive industry?

Very little. Of course, easy movement of products and services between European countries is attractive but unless tariffs are introduced, I cannot foresee a negative impact on the Hungarian automotive industry, who have much greater ties with Germany anyway. This is unless the whole of Europe is negatively affected by Brexit.

What would be the effects of Brexit on the British automotive industry?

Every major automotive company with investments in Britain wants to remain in Europe. In a highly competitive industry any change, increase in administration costs, possible trade tariffs or having to adjust to the unknown is highly unattractive.

Interview by István Gégény