Jill Rutter Profile picture
Jill Rutter, Brexit at UK in a Changing Europe. Any other stuff at Institute for Government. Full Fact fan. Very ex-civil servant. My views not theirs.

Sep 23, 2021, 22 tweets

The latest @UKandEU #Brexitwitnessarchive interview with @AJBMarshall is essential reading for anyone interested in how #brexit impacted govt-business relations (more on that to come from us - watch this space) - he led @britishchambers

On business frustration in the noughties at increasing red tape - but also concern it was not just Brussels to blame

.@britishchambers had an impartial stance in the referendum - but that was broken when its Director-General came out for Leave - and catapulted Adam into the leadership

and a withering verdict on the quality of the campaign - from both sides

On the BCC's "practical and pragmatic" approach to lobbying govt on business needs

and at the start of the May government lots of conversations, but was it just one way? (comments at the time that govt was like a sponge - soaking up messages but not reacting)

and a concern that government was announcing policies before it had thought through the implications (will not come as a huge surprise to seasoned government watchers..)

More on that frustration at the one way engagement

That frustration was not confined to Westminster politicians but stretched to the other govts "playing politics"

frustration squared over the late start and inadequate approach to no deal prep

On Chequers vs the Johnson approach - the latter's clarity it wanted a distant deal meant it was more worth investing in no deal than it had been under May

the change of government led though to the junking of a lot of mechanisms for engagement with government... more frustration at unnecessary change

But @michaelgove taking control of preparations did make a difference

and the business view of the Johnson Northern Ireland protocol

and the reaction to the PM telling business it could just bin the forms

More frustration at the lack of business input into the TCA negotiation

and on the Frost assertion that non-tariff barriers were massively exaggerated

Business relief that the Xmas Eve deal was done - but then a mad scramble to get ready

and concerns at the limited mobility provisions in the TCA -- and the risks on data

and how the govt should address future opportunities ..(its not about tearing up the inherited Brussels rulebook)

Read Adam's full interview here ukandeu.ac.uk/brexit-witness…

and if you are interested in the view from another important sector, here is @Minette_Batters from @NFUtweets ukandeu.ac.uk/brexit-witness… ENDS

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