Chamber Calls For End To Political Games

On 20^th August we wrote to the Prime Minster, urging him to do the very best for UK businesses and the need for clarity and certainty has never been greater. We also highlighted the results of a snap poll where we asked our members how confident were  they that this Government could deliver a satisfactory Brexit by 31st October 2019. Ninety businesses responded with 78% stating they were not confident and only 22% stated they were confident. This letter was also copied to all Dorset MPs.

Now, at the time of writing, we still face huge political uncertainty with Boris Johnson losing a key vote over control of the Parliamentary timetable in his attempts to push through a no-deal Brexit by 31^st October. In unprecedented times of political uncertainty, locally, Dorset Chamber and, nationally, the British Chamber of Commerce will continue to make the strongest representation on behalf of the business community. Here is our letter to Boris Johnson.

The Rt. Honourable Boris Johnson, MP
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA

20^th August 2019

Dear Prime Minister

I would like to congratulate you on your recent appointment as Prime Minister and the formation of your new Cabinet. By way of brief background, we are the accredited county Chamber for Commerce for Dorset with around 700 members. We help Dorset businesses export goods to the value of around £200 million per year.

As we approach 31^st October 2019, being the latest date by which we must leave the European Union, I would urge you to do all you can to ensure that the UK leaves with a deal and the needs of UK business are positioned as an absolute priority.

Whilst our members and the wider business community have shown great resilience in this unprecedented period of uncertainty, the need for clarity and the recognition of the needs of UK business have never been greater. Many businesses still have great concerns and indeed have found it very difficult to realistically prepare for our departure from the EU with so little clarity on so many issues.

We recently undertook a snap poll and asked our members how confident are they that this Government can deliver a satisfactory Brexit by 31st October 2019. 90 businesses responded with 78% stating they are not confident and only 22% stating they are confident. There is much for the Government to do in restoring the confidence of business regarding Brexit.

To this end, we would very much like to invite and welcome you to Dorset to meet our members and offer the opportunity to discuss their concerns with you as well as wider opportunities post Brexit. We would of course make all arrangements and would be very pleased to facilitate to this.

I look forward to hearing from you and wish you well in your new role.

Most respectfully,
Ian Girling
Chief Executive, Dorset Chamber