Jessie Ware, Universal Music’s David Joseph Among U.K. Backers of European Union

Paloma Faith, Jessie Ware, Alt J and Universal Music U.K. chairman and chief executive David Joseph are among almost 300 signatories from across the music, film, art, entertainment and creative industries who have backed an open letter calling for the United Kingdom to stay in the European Union.

Other famous names supporting the campaign include actors Jude Law, Keira Knightley, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sir John Hurt and Chiwetel Ejiofor, fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, director Richard Curtis, artist Tracey Emin and the author John le Carre.

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Film composer David Arnold, Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker, Rough Trade founder Geoff Travis and members of Hot Chip, Bombay Bicycle Club and Rudimental have also pledged their support to the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign, which aims to drum up public support ahead of a national referendum on June 23 to decide whether the U.K. should remain one of the 28 member states of the EU.  

They argue that leaving the EU would have “lasting and far-reaching consequences for the future of this country for generations to come.”

“Britain is not just stronger in Europe, it is more imaginative and more creative, and our global creative success would be severely weakened by walking away,” the letter goes on to say.

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“From the Bard to Bowie, British creativity inspires and influences the rest of the world. We believe that being part of the EU bolsters Britain’s leading role on the world stage. Let’s not become an outsider shouting from the wings,” it concludes.

According to a recent survey by the Creative Industries Federation, more than 96 percent of its members support remaining in the EU, while 84 percent believed that the outcome of the vote was important to the future success of their organisation.

“The U.K. creative industries are key to the way we are seen by the world and deliver a massive £84.1 billion ($122 billion) to our economy. Our position as a vital European creative hub is a huge part of this success – we benefit from a vast network of talented people, companies and institutions across Europe,” said Sir John Sorrell, chairman of the Creative Industries Federation, in a statement, accompanying the letter. 

1.8 million people are presently employed in creative industries in the U.K., accounting for one in every 17 jobs nationally and one in eight jobs, according to government figures.