Responding to the Prime Minister’s speech setting out
priorities for Brexit negotiations with the EU, Jonathan Geldart,
Director General of the Institute of Directors, said:
“This speech set out the Government’s high-level position,
but needs to be followed quickly by specific objectives that
match the level of detail published by the EU today. Businesses
are less interested in the rhetoric that will inevitably surround
the negotiations than they are with the practical implications of
the Government’s approach. The UK can’t just stick to red lines,
it needs to set out positive, practical steps to what it
wants.
“We did get an idea of the overall direction today,
although the approach suggests a swing away from prioritising
close trade ties with the EU. The question for many businesses
now is should they be planning to have no trade deal in place for
the end of the year. The Government must set out how it intends
to help smaller firms deal with changes that may come, and some
form of adjustment period is crucial. While our members want to
make the most of opportunities around the world, a large majority
of our members have productive links with Europe, and the EU will
be a crucial trading partner going forward whatever
happens.
"The potential for trade barriers with the EU poses
concerns for the UK’s own internal market. Firms trading between
Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be looking to Government
for reassurance that trade across the Irish Sea will be
protected. There are still many open questions about how this
will be achieved.”
