Voice of business ‘not heard enough’ in Brexit negotiations, says East Mids MP

A prominent East Midlands MP has told TheBusinessDesk.com that those in charge of Brexit negotiations haven’t listed to businesses enough and that it is doubtful whether the UK will have time to put in place large swathes of its own regulation before it leave the EU.

Speaking at a round table event sponsored by Barclays, Nicky Morgan, MP for Loughborough, said that while David Davies, the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, has been “pragmatic” in his negotiations with EU leaders at present, business owners are in danger of being ignored.

Morgan said: “It’s very difficult to know what the outcome of the negotiations will be and what new arrangement will be put in place.

“There’s no time for a ‘bonfire of the red tape’ and we won’t have time before we have to leave the EU to put in place much of our own regulation.

“I do feel that the voice of business hasn’t been heard loud enough, and I’d urge any East Midlands business owner, if they feel the same way, to get in touch with their local MP to voice their concerns and ideas.”

Keith Ross

Keith Ross, head of mid corporate, East Midlands at Barclays, said: “I think there are key themes that have come to the fore over the last year: the first is that we have some business who are concerned about free movement of labour post-Brexit, as they employ 80-90% migrant labour.

“Despite this, the East Midlands economy continues to outperform other regions, and this is down to its diverse economy and its ability to surmount problems and challenges.”

A full report of the round table will appear on TheBusinessDesk.com later this week.