Brexit: It's time to put aside self-interest

Business leaders in Greater Birmingham today urged all politicians in the current Brexit turmoil to put aside self-interest and focus on securing the best outcome for all citizens and businesses in the UK. 

With 134 days to go before Brexit, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) will continue to inform businesses on Brexit facts as they become available, and help businesses in the region to understand and best prepare and navigate through this complex subject.

A number of ministers resigned today following the announcement that the Prime Minister had secured Cabinet support for the deal, Theresa May addressed Parliament on the Brexit withdrawal deal and political declaration.

On the “backstop” option for avoiding a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, she said “the EU will not accept any future relationship without it.”

She challenged Parliament to “choose to leave with no deal, risk no Brexit at all or choose to unite to support the best deal that can be negotiated.”

Meanwhile Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn criticised the proposed deal for failing to meet their “six tests” and called it a “half-baked” Brexit.

Paul Faulkner, the GBCC’s chief executive, said: “As it stands, there are just 134 days remaining until Brexit, an incredibly short time for negotiating a Brexit deal.

“At a time of undoubted political turmoil we urge all in positions of political power to put self-interest to one side and focus on securing the best outcome for all citizens and businesses in the UK. 

“The Chamber will continue to inform businesses on Brexit facts as they become available, and help businesses in the region to understand and best prepare and navigate through this complex subject.”

The GBCC are delivering a Brexit Clinic on the 27 November (shortly after the proposed EU Summit on the 25 November) which will include an update on what these latest developments mean for businesses as well as opportunities to speak with guest experts about specific elements of Brexit planning. Click here for more information and to RSVP.

The GBCC have also produced a range of online resources to help businesses preparing for Brexit, click here for the GBCC Brexit Toolkit.

Have you completed our latest Quarterly Business Report Survey? This quarter we have a great prize (10 tickets to the Magic Lantern Festival at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens) and every response will help the GBCC keep up to speed with changes in, and challenges facing, the local business community. Take part here.