One of the reasons why business associations are so annoyed and so powerless in #Brexit is due to how they've been played by three UK Governments since 2015
That they are annoyed is covered here:
How it happened is covered in this thread
That they are annoyed is covered here:
How it happened is covered in this thread
Stage 1️⃣
2015, prior to UK General Election
UK business associations to Tories, in private: do you not think doing this EU referendum is dangerous?
Cameron: I committed to it in 2013. But I will not likely win, so it will not happen
UK business associations keep quiet
2015, prior to UK General Election
UK business associations to Tories, in private: do you not think doing this EU referendum is dangerous?
Cameron: I committed to it in 2013. But I will not likely win, so it will not happen
UK business associations keep quiet
Stage 2️⃣
2015, Cameron wins General Election, has to do referendum
UK business associations to Cameron, in private: what do you want to renegotiate with the EU?
Cameron: don't worry - only minor things. I'm not messing with the Single Market
UK business associations keep quiet
2015, Cameron wins General Election, has to do referendum
UK business associations to Cameron, in private: what do you want to renegotiate with the EU?
Cameron: don't worry - only minor things. I'm not messing with the Single Market
UK business associations keep quiet
Stage 3️⃣
2016, Referendum campaign
UK business associations: what do we do now?
Cameron: trust me I can win this referendum and we stay in. Plus it'd be seen you're messing in politics if you intervene
UK business associations take neutral position on referendum
2016, Referendum campaign
UK business associations: what do we do now?
Cameron: trust me I can win this referendum and we stay in. Plus it'd be seen you're messing in politics if you intervene
UK business associations take neutral position on referendum
Stage 4️⃣
2016, Leave wins Referendum
UK business associations: we respect the result of the referendum, but we at least need a soft Brexit, so as to minimise damage to the economy
2016, Leave wins Referendum
UK business associations: we respect the result of the referendum, but we at least need a soft Brexit, so as to minimise damage to the economy
Stage 5️⃣
Late 2016, May becomes Prime Minister and sets hard Brexit course with "citizens of nowhere" speech and seeks to control migration
UK business associations: we respect the result of the referendum, and we seek the softest of hard Brexits
Late 2016, May becomes Prime Minister and sets hard Brexit course with "citizens of nowhere" speech and seeks to control migration
UK business associations: we respect the result of the referendum, and we seek the softest of hard Brexits
Stage 6️⃣
2017, May's position weakens after General Election and Northern Ireland becomes a problem issue
UK business associations: we respect the result of the referendum, and we hope the government can work through all of the issues
2017, May's position weakens after General Election and Northern Ireland becomes a problem issue
UK business associations: we respect the result of the referendum, and we hope the government can work through all of the issues
Stage 7️⃣
2018, May's headaches to get any Deal through mean No Deal becomes a danger
UK business associations: we just need a Deal. Or failing that better a delay and then a Deal. But please not No Deal.
2018, May's headaches to get any Deal through mean No Deal becomes a danger
UK business associations: we just need a Deal. Or failing that better a delay and then a Deal. But please not No Deal.
Stage 8️⃣
2019, Johnson in power having flirted with No Deal he agrees a deal that's a mess for Northern Ireland, and very Hard for rest of GB
UK business associations: phew. We have a Deal. Thank goodness for that!
2019, Johnson in power having flirted with No Deal he agrees a deal that's a mess for Northern Ireland, and very Hard for rest of GB
UK business associations: phew. We have a Deal. Thank goodness for that!
Stage 9️⃣
2020, Johnson's Government pursues a strategy for Stage 2 that is against pretty much any business interest
UK business associations: why won't the Government listen to us? This is wrong!
Government: if this goes wrong you and the EU are to blame. Suck it up!
2020, Johnson's Government pursues a strategy for Stage 2 that is against pretty much any business interest
UK business associations: why won't the Government listen to us? This is wrong!
Government: if this goes wrong you and the EU are to blame. Suck it up!
Stage 1️⃣0️⃣
Late 2020 (predicted), Johnson's Government concedes on a few core issues at the last minute to secure a Deal and avoid extending transition
UK business associations: phew. We have a Deal. It's not close to what we wanted, but better than nothing. Thank goodness!
Late 2020 (predicted), Johnson's Government concedes on a few core issues at the last minute to secure a Deal and avoid extending transition
UK business associations: phew. We have a Deal. It's not close to what we wanted, but better than nothing. Thank goodness!
So CBI, IOD, MakeUK, BRC and the rest - what are you going to do about it?
/ends
/ends
