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A slim majority of City professionals think Britain should stay in the European Union — but almost one in three want a veto over Brussels meddling in financial services, a new poll says.

Only 11 per cent of the bankers, traders and fund managers surveyed thought Britain’s current fraught relationship with Europe was the right model for the future.

When asked “how should Britain’s relationship with the European Union develop?” 56 per cent indicated they supported continued membership and 44 per cent backed withdrawal.

However, most of those who want a “Brexit” from the institutions of the EU said the UK should stay in the single market — the so-called “Norwegian option.” Of those who wanted to maintain full membership, about half said David Cameron needed to negotiate greater powers to block new laws that could harm the Square Mile.

Intriguingly 16 per cent back further integration with the rest of the EU, including a pledge to adopt the euro.

The provisional findings of the on-going poll, by the respected Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, suggests the City is deeply divided over the benefits of staying in Europe. Comments posted on the institute’s website in response to the poll reflect the split.

One said: “It would be disastrous for us to leave the EU. The UK economy would suffer in all sectors, particularly finance,” while another respondent described the EU as “a sclerotic behemoth with no redeeming features.”

Many City figures are concerned that a wave of new Brussels regulations, ranging from the proposed EU Financial Transaction Tax to the new curbs on bankers’ bonuses, could cripple London’s status as the pre- eminent financial centre in Europe.

City heavyweights have lined up on both sides of the argument. Those in favour of staying in include Standard Life chief Gerry Grimstone and Terra Firma financier Guy Hands, while high-profile hedge fund bosses Crispin Odey and Helena Morrisey back an exit.

Former Chancellor Lord Lawson has gone as far as to say that EU membership “is rapidly emerging as perhaps the greatest single threat” to the future success of the Square Mile.

Both sides said the poll findings backed their position. Chris Cummings, chief executive of financial services body City UK, which backs continued membership, said: “It is better to be at the negotiating table, working closely with our EU neighbours and promoting our agenda strongly.”

But Matthew Elliott from Business for Britain, a campaign for EU renegotiation supported by over 750 business leaders, said: “This poll destroys the fallacy that the City of London is opposed to a fundamental change in Britain’s relationship with the EU.”

The poll findings come ahead of an Evening Standard debate on the potential impact of withdrawal at the Guildhall on 9 September, and as up to 100 Eurosceptic Tory MPs prepare to back proposals for Britain to withdraw from the “bureaucratic” single market as the price for supporting continued EU membership.