Top business and trade union groups unite in call for Theresa May to change course on Brexit
2 min read
The heads of Britain’s top business and trade union groups have issued a joint call for Theresa May to change course on Brexit and avoid crashing out of the EU with no deal.
Carolyn Fairbairn from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and Frances O’Grady from the Trade Union Congress (TUC) wrote to the Prime Minister demanding a meeting to discuss the "national emergency" facing the country.
The duo said the tens of thousands of businesses and several million union members they represent “are not ready” for the prospect of the UK crashing out of the bloc.
They made the plea as French president Emmanuel Macron warned the UK would be on course for a no-deal Brexit if MPs reject the PM's deal a third time next week.
Britain is due to leave the European Union on 29 March, with or without an agreement, unless Mrs May can persuade the EU to grant an extension to Article 50 at the two-day European Council summit, which begins today.
In their letter to the PM, the CBI and TUC leaders said: “Our country is facing a national emergency. Decisions of recent days have caused the risk of no deal to soar.
“Firms and communities across the UK are not ready for this outcome. The shock to our economy would be felt by generations to come.”
“We ask you to take three steps to protect the jobs, rights and livelihoods of ordinary working people.”
The leaders said Mrs May had to acknowledge the need to avoid a “reckless” no-deal exit was “paramount” and urged her to secure an Article 50 extension as well as changes to her deal to break the parliamentary deadlock.
The latter, they said, must be a solution that protects workers and the economy, maintains an open Irish border and is “negotiable with the EU”.
“A new approach is needed to secure this – whether through indicative votes or another mechanism for compromise,” they added.
And they said: “We cannot overstate the gravity of this crisis for firms and working people. We request an urgent meeting with you to discuss our concerns and hear your response.”
'GOING TO A NO DEAL'
The PM pledged yesterday to push for a “short extension” until 30 June, although European Council chief Donald Tusk has indicated a deadline of 23 May will be offered.
But Mr Tusk said the extension would only be granted if MPs back the Brexit deal they rejected by 149 votes earlier this month.
Arriving at the Council summit, French president Mr Macron warned: "In the case of a negative vote in the British parliament, we will be going to a no-deal. We all know that."
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