No Brexit deal 'will be seen as a failure'

CHRIS Fletcher, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce

BUSINESSES across the north-west want the Government to achieve a new deal with the EU containing essential 'must-have' features, according to Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

They say not reaching a deal or agreeing a bad deal will be seen as a failure.

Prime Minister Teresa May triggered 'Article 50' yesterday, which starting the formal process of the UK leaving the EU.

The chamber has asked members about key issues ranging from continuing membership of the single market and customs union to the Prime Minister's stated position that 'no deal is better than a bad deal'.

Relevance

Its survey was based around 12 points highlighted by the Prime Minister earlier this year. The chamber has now published a statement covering nine main points of most relevance to business.

These include a call for the incorporation of all European law into British law, to provide stability and continuity; recognition of the rights of EU citizens who were resident in the UK before the referendum, a visa-free travel system and a call that unless deals are in place at the point of exit then membership of the single market and customs union should remain.

The chamber has issued a Brexit Position Statement, giving more detail on the key points.

Regarding a new deal with the EU, it states: "While Greater Manchester Chamber understands the Prime Minister's position that 'no deal ? is better than a bad deal', as this is required to support a strong negotiation, it believes that either of these outcomes would rightly be judged a failure.

"There are substantial risks to businesses, citizens and the wider economy if the UK fails to secure a deal in the Article 50 negotiations. Therefore, the Government must not rule out attempting to extend the negotiation period beyond two years or to pursue interim arrangements if required to establish a positive relationship between the UK and the EU at exit."

Theories

Speaking this week, Chris Fletcher, Marketing and Policy Director at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, added: "Brexit has suddenly become very real. In the months following the referendum there has been very little factual content and a lot of guess-work and theories about what may or may not happen.

"With Article 50 being triggered the theorising has to stop, and government must be fully focused on the next two years to make sure that the UK exits the EU with a workable and effective deal in place.

"Our members have made it clear that while in pre-referendum surveys there was a majority that wanted to remain, now the process has started they want the exit to be delivered as swiftly and efficiently as possible, but taking into account several key areas which they see as 'must-haves'.

"Overall there has to be a deal in place at the conclusion of the negotiations. While the Prime Minister felt it was right to set out a position of saying 'no deal is better than a bad deal' either one of these would be seen as a failure. If that means negotiations take longer than expected but this results in the right deal for the UK, then that is acceptable.

"As we have done throughout this process we will continue to monitor everything that happens and make sure our members and the wider business community here in Greater Manchester can have their say."