Addressing the BCC
Annual Conference 2019, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British
Chambers of Commerce (BCC), has addressed the deep levels of frustration and
anger among business communities across the country towards those in
Westminster over the ongoing political turmoil.
In his keynote
speech to the Conference at the QEII Centre in Westminster, Dr Marshall urged
those in Westminster to chart a clear path forward, avoiding a messy and
disorderly exit, and stem the ‘corrosive damage and dislocation of ongoing
uncertainty.’
He said businesses
throughout the UK were frustrated and angry, feeling that the Government had
let British businesses down by focusing more on soundbites than the substance
required to negotiate a Brexit deal.
He added that the country
had spent the last three years going around in circles and as a result
businesses and communities in every part of the UK are still unsure about when
the future starts – let alone what it holds.
"No one would
run a business like this – and it is no way to run a country," he said.
"It cannot be right that we leave in a way where government itself
predicts there will be mass disruption to businesses and communities.
"It cannot be
right that some in Westminster shrug off the possibility of shortages that
could affect the well-being and the jobs of many people.
"A messy and
disorderly exit would not just be deeply irresponsible – it would be a flagrant
dereliction of duty.
“But we in business
must make it clear that our elected representatives cannot keep chasing
rainbows.
Like all of us in
business, they need to start making tough decisions, however personally or
politically difficult they might be.
"Because all of
us in business want to move on from this and get back to talking about creating
the best possible environment for businesses to thrive, in every part of the
United Kingdom.
"We want to
restore our hard-won international reputation as a great place to do business.
"After all, it
is business and trade that will ultimately restore confidence – both across the
nations and regions of the UK and with our many partners around the world.
"If there is
one thing I am sure of, it is that business will lead the way in helping the UK
rise to new challenges, seize new opportunities, and shape what comes next. We
have not, and we will not sit back and wait for others to create opportunity.”
