Businesses left in the dark after Brexit proposals rejected

Business leaders are left increasingly frustrated after another difficult day in Parliament fails to result in progress towards a clear Brexit plan.

Director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, Dr Adam Marshall, is expected to echo the sentiments of many UK businesses in a speech at his organisation’s annual conference, denouncing politicians and accusing them of “chasing rainbows”.

At the event at the QEII Conference Centre Westminster, Dr Marshall is expected to tell the audience: No-one would run a business like this, and it is no way to run a country“ as well as saying that politicians have a responsibility to “make tough decisions” to ensure a smooth Brexit for companies and workers.”

The reaction follows last night’s indicative voting in the House of Commons, which saw the rejection of all eight alternative Brexit proposals put forward by MPs.

With tomorrow (March 29) as the original exit date, the EU agreed a two-tier option which would give Theresa May until May 22 - providing she can secure backing for her withdrawal agreement by the end of this week, which she has so far been unable to do despite the promise of her resignation.

The EU have offered a no-deal leave date of April 12 in the event of no agreement being reached, and with no clear idea of what the exit will look like, Dr Marshall and other business leaders are deeply concerned about the lack of clarity as well as damage that has already been done to the UK’s reputation and investments.

Dr Marshall is expected to stress that a no-deal Brexit would harm businesses and that “a messy and disorderly exit would not just be deeply irresponsible, it would be a flagrant dereliction of duty.”