Photo: Oltion Bregu
On the same day that UK Prime Minister Theresa May returned to Brussels to ask for an extension to Article 50, the clause in the EU's Lisbon Treaty that allows to country to leave the bloc, Make UK, the manufacturers' organisation, released a statement calling for a clear resolution.
Commenting on the extension of Article 50, Stephen Phipson, Make UK's Chief Executive said: "It is now 1000 days since we voted to leave the EU. Despite that, we are now in a position where the world’s fifth biggest economy has no idea what the trading relationship with its biggest market will be in nine days’ time. We are moving from farce to tragedy."
"The only thing likely to worsen the current picture is leaving the EU without a deal, which would be catastrophic for the manufacturing sector which is so dependent on frictionless trade, common standards and regulation."
"As a result, we conditionally support the Prime Minister’s decision to seek a short extension to Article 50. We do so on the express condition that the Government and Parliament use this time to relentlessly pursue a clear outcome that protects our trading relationship and provides certainty as quickly as possible. Delay for delays sake will simply make an appalling situation worse."
The manufacturers' organisation has prepared advice for UK manufacturers to deal with the Brexit transition. Make UK wants to help manufacturers make the transition to a post-brexit Britain by informing them of the possible outcomes of Brexit and how to prepare their businesses.
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