Ahead of today’s (Thursday) European Summit TUC
General Secretary Frances O’Grady and
CBI Director-General Carolyn Fairbairnhave
written a joint letter to the Prime Minister urging a change to
her approach on Brexit. They have requested an urgent meeting to
discuss their concerns.
The letter reads:
Together we represent millions of workers and
tens of thousands of businesses. It is on their behalf that we
are writing to you to ask you to change your Brexit
approach.
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.
First, avoiding no deal is paramount. Businesses
and employees alike need to see their Government clearly
acknowledge the reckless damage no deal would cause and recommit
itself to avoiding this outcome.
Second, securing an extension has become
essential. 88% of CBI members and a majority in Parliament agree
this is better than no deal. But at the same time an extension
must genuinely allow a way forwards, and be long enough for a
deal to be agreed.
Third, ‘the current deal or no deal’ must not be
the only choice. A Plan B must be found - one that protects
workers, the economy and an open Irish border, commands a
parliamentary majority, and is negotiable with the EU. A new
approach is needed to secure this – whether through indicative
votes or another mechanism for compromise.
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.
Your sincerely,
Frances O’Grady, TUC
General Secretary
Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI
Director General
