Business leaders have warned Theresa May that “patience is wearing thin” with the government’s indecision on Brexit, as her inner cabinet comes under intense pressure to give a clearer signal about Britain’s future relationship with the EU.
On the day cabinet ministers prepared to gather for the first of two crucial meetings, the British Chambers of Commerce released a strongly-worded statement saying that “businesses need those elected to govern our country to make choices”.
In an open letter to the prime minister, the BCC’s president, Francis Martin, and director-general, Adam Marshall, said the perception of their 75,000 member firms is of “continued division” at the top of government.
“The BCC has refrained from entering into the noisy political debate on the shape of the final settlement in recent weeks. We have instead emphasised the need for answers to the many practical questions businesses now face,” they said.
“Yet businesses need those elected to govern our country to make choices – and to deliver a clear, unequivocal statement of intent.
“The perception amongst businesses on the ground, large and small alike, is one of continued division. Even amongst the many optimistic, future-oriented firms – those who see opportunity in change – patience is wearing thin.”
The Brexit subcommittee is expected to tackle the border in Northern Ireland in the first of a pair of two-hour meetings aimed at clarifying the government’s approach, in advance of intensive talks in the coming weeks.
But senior government sources were already playing down the likelihood of significant progress this week, with one warning the most likely outcome was “more fudge”. The prime minister’s spokesman said Brexit was not discussed at Tuesday’s weekly meeting of May’s full cabinet.
The 11-member Brexit strategy subcommittee includes the chancellor and the home secretary, who would like to see the closest possible continuing relationship to the EU, and “divergers” including Michael Gove and Boris Johnson.