MPs tell May Brexit must have EU deal

More than 200 lawmakers send letter to PM warning about economic fallout

With just over one week to go until the Parliamentary vote on British Prime Minister Theresa May's proposals to take the county out of the European Union at the end of March, more than 200 MPs from across the political spectrum have signed a letter urging her to rule out any possibility of a no-deal Brexit.

May's proposals for Britain's future economic and political relationship with Europe have been approved by the leaders of the other EU countries but still require the support of British Parliament.

Before Christmas, a vote on the matter, in which May was expected to suffer a substantial defeat, was postponed at the last moment, prompting a challenge to her leadership from within her own party, which she survived.

The delayed vote is due to take place next week but there is no sign yet of her proposals having any more support, and time is running out for any alternative arrangements to be put in place before the scheduled Brexit date of March 29, raising fears of a damaging no-deal Brexit.

The letter is written by Conservative MP Caroline Spelman and Labour's Jack Dromey, and has signatories from the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties, as well as the Scottish and Welsh national parties.

Spelman said it has the backing of MPs from both the Leave and Remain camps, and was concerned with the potential economic damage that could be caused by a no-deal Brexit.

"The renaissance of manufacturing and its supply chains in this country, bolstered by demand for exports, has markedly improved the lives of our constituents," the letter said, "The principal market for these exports has been the EU."

"The revival of the manufacturing industry has created innumerable jobs, not only via direct employment but also in the supply chain and ancillary services. Leaving the EU without a deal would cause unnecessary economic damage."

The signatories of the letter have been invited to meet May on Tuesday, and Spelman, a Remain supporter, said this was a sign that the prime minister was taking their concerns seriously.

"Yes, I definitely think she gets it. She wouldn't have invited us to come in and see her if she didn't," she told the BBC.

The letter was made public on the same morning as a major logistical exercise involving 100 trucks was taking place near the English Channel port of Dover, to assess the traffic impact of queues and delays which could be caused around key ports by a no-deal Brexit.

Another warning to the prime minister over the potential damage caused by the lack of clarity over Brexit came in a survey carried out by Britain's leading manufacturing organization, the EEF.

A poll of more than 240 companies conducted in November revealed that more than 75 percent of them said the prospect of border delays post - Brexit posed a risk to their business.

"While companies are naturally optimistic by their very nature, the specter of Brexit is now very front of mind for manufacturers," EEF Chief Executive Stephen Phipson said.

"This is bringing with it a whole host of risks from increased exchange rate volatility to rising input costs which right now are very difficult to plan for."

The survey also revealed that 62 percent of manufacturers were planning to stockpile goods in the run-up to Brexit because uncertainty of what would happen after. It was reported it could bring a temporary lift to Britain's manufacturing sector.

However, the use of those stockpiled items, rather than the need to place new orders, could cause a negative impact post-Brexit.

julian@mail.chinadailyuk.com

(China Daily 01/08/2019 page12)