By Ben Kerrigan-
Business leaders calling for a swift EU Brexit deal to be agreed “as soon as possible” have no bite, and need to get involved in the negotiations themselves.
These leaders are aware of all the complications that have surrounded Brexit talks, and can use their business heads to suggest how to break the deadlock. Adding pressure to an already pressurizing process without any contribution to solve the problem is a futile attempt to work miracles where the UK prime minister, Theresa May, has struggled to do so. British firms say they are preparing to make serious decisions that can seriously impact jobs and investment early next year.
A draft letter to Brexit Secretary David Davis which was obtained by Sky News reveal that five of Britain’s biggest business lobby groups also called for the transition period to match as closely as possible current trading arrangements with the European Union
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EU leaders have agreed to commence talks about a future relationship by December, when they expect Theresa May to make concessions on a divorce payment to unlock talks on trade and a transition.The private letter to David Davis was signed by the CBI, British Chambers of Commerce, manufacturing trade body EEF, and the Institute of Directors and the Federation of Small Businesses.
It read: “Agreement (on a transition) is needed as soon as possible, as companies are preparing to make serious decisions at the start of 2018, which will have consequences for jobs and investment in the UK.
“And the details of any transitional arrangement matter: the economic relationship the UK and EU has during this time-limited period must match as close as possible the status quo.”
The letter added: “It is vital that companies only have to undertake one adjustment as a result of the UK’s withdrawal, not two – and that businesses, the UK Government and authorities in the EU have enough time to make the changes needed to deliver Brexit successfully.”
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A swift Brexit transition is in the interest of all parties involved, but until the sticky points like (the precise divorce payments) are agreed and progressed upon, the loud call for a quick transition deal is pointless. Instead, business leaders can themselves make professional suggestions about how the deadlock should be broken, and state the fee they believe is reasonable , and why. It will obviously fall down to what the UK and EU chiefs agree, but concerned businessmen can make a contribution to how the Brexit transition deal can be sped up. The scream for a fast deal despite the known obstacles, will achieve nothing substantial unless a practical idea that breaks the deadlock is presented to either the EU or UK government. EU chiefs have in the past indicated a wish for Britain to suffer a notable inconvenience for the decision to leave the 40 year old European Union; one can’t help wondering if they are being difficult intentionally.
If as it also appears possible, EU chiefs have a genuine case for a substantial divorce bill to be paid first, then Theresa May has promised to pay whatever is truly owed to them. Other issues to do with citizens rights of both EU nationals in Britain and British expats in EU countries are gradually being discussed and addressed, but if businessmen find the uncertain time scale potentially damaging, they must come with more bite and suggest how to move forward with the delayed transition. Their professional suggestions will not be ignored, but will be assessed and adopted if they provide crucial answers that can provide an accelerated process.to the talks.
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