Government urged to give ‘iron-clad guarantee’ it will avoid no-deal

The government was urged to give business an “iron-clad guarantee” that it will not seek to take the UK out of the EU without a deal on October 31.

Dr Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce said while the parliamentary drama continues, in the ”real world” businesses were waiting anxiously for a clear outcome.

Marshall said:

In the coming days the onus is on the Government to answer the many questions businesses are posing on the Prime Minister’s deal – and its potential impact on trade, investment, communities and jobs.

At such a critical moment in the process, the Government must give business an iron-clad guarantee that it will not seek to take the UK out of the EU without a deal on October 31.

Getting a Brexit deal is far more important than simply getting it done.

Allowing the UK to slide toward a Halloween no-deal, whether by design or disarray, would be an act of economic and political negligence.

As frustrating as it would be to many in business, a short extension to unlock a comprehensive solution and a smooth transition is still infinitely preferable to an overnight economic shock.”

Sir Oliver Letwin’s successful amendment has put a hurdle in the way of Boris Johnson as he tries to get his EU deal through.

Ian Wright, chief executive of the Food and Drink Federation, said:

Everybody has had enough of the Brexit debate. It is, though, vital that we didn’t allow the fact that the nation is exhausted to mean we sleepwalk into mistakes that will haunt the UK economy for a generation.

We welcome the Letwin amendment.

The most urgent priority for the food and drink industry has been to prevent a no-deal exit from the EU on October 31. The Letwin amendment does that job.

We welcome more time to scrutinise the new Brexit deal and the legislation designed to enact it.

We must also make sure the implementation period is adequate to pass the necessary UK legislation and for businesses to fully adapt.

It is important that all of the consequences, including the damaging loss of frictionless trade and regulatory divergence with the EU that the new deal heralds, are properly understood before MPs make their decision.

Sir Oliver Letwin (right) passed his amendment on Boris Johnson's deal (House of Commons/PA) — Sir Oliver Letwin (right) passed his amendment on Boris Johnson’s deal (House of Commons/PA)

Tags: Brexit

Comments 1

loon says:

7 years ago

The photo of the city reveals the wondrous complexity of civilization today we live in, and I don’t think it is appreciated socially what is required to sustain this changing mother of invention so we all prosper.
The Letwin amendment is sensible in appreciating the consequences of a rash break from the EU after a political stalement of 3 years on the issue.
I sense for the first time a coalecsing movement within parliament to think in practical terms about the danger presented to the country. Everyone has been wondering up until now where this feeling was. It’s a little late in coming but it has arrived, and the concept of an autocratic leadership which we tend to seek has a nail driven into its coffin.
All the while being entertained by a political clown.
Yet the IMF is so excited by this sudden deal, and points to a problem within the EU having to abide by its philosophy. Time for a reconstrution of what will work for this wondrous complexity of our invention we now live in.
The IMF reveals now the quacking sound of the past to its flock.
Just an observation upon the world I’m living in, and the world can handle it without a worry. That’s the beauty of living with the rights we have now.
Exciting times.