Boris Johnson hopes he will have a deal ready to put to the vote when the House of Commons sits on October 19, for the first time in 35 years.
Failing that, MPs will seek to ask Brussels for a three month extension to Article 50 – even after the PM said he would rather be “dead in a ditch” than agree to that.
Businesses up and down the country, and across the Irish sea have come to expect, are not enjoying the uncertainty
BusinessLive teamed up with LeicestershireLive to ask business leaders in Leicester what they want to see happen in the coming days, weeks and months.
The construction expert
Duncan Green is managing partner, at Pick Everard, the £47 million turnover property, infrastructure and construction consultancy based in the city centre, with offices around the 海角视频
“The latest statistics released for September by the IHS Markit/CIPS 海角视频 Construction Total Activity Index show a downturn in the sector for the second month running, with industry experts blaming Brexit uncertainty for a ‘dip in orders’.
“However, we take an optimistic view on change and believe our industry always strives for positive outcomes.
“At times of uncertainty collaboration is absolutely imperative and this is an approach that our sector is making a conscious and considerable effort to uphold.
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“We’re seeing greater joint working between public and private organisations and increasing transparency throughout the supply chain, with early involvement in the procurement process.
“Deal or no deal, our strategy remains unchanged; our plan is for continued sustained growth, supporting staff retention and offering clear career progression.
“There is likely to be a hiatus affecting imports and exports, but it will be short-lived and the construction industry is used to accommodating change in programming and the delivery of projects.
“As a firm, we will maintain a steadfast commitment to attracting, retaining and nurturing diverse talent and ambitious individuals from across Europe.
“Our business plan is to increase our market share, further boosting employment at our Leicester office.
“As a city, we need to respond positively to the outcome of Brexit – in whatever form that may take.”
The recruitment specialist
Adam Flowers runs Midlands recruitment specialist Flowers Associates in Groby, just outside Leicester
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“Businesses whether they be local or national need to be able to move forward and continue to do so otherwise they start to go backwards.
“It’s happening now and can be halted by strong leadership and influence.
“Do I think the PM should resign? Eventually but not now. He should see this thing through then go. There’s much navigation required post-Brexit, deal or no deal, I fear our PM’s politics lacks the diplomacy and tact for building meaningful relationships aside of a righteous agenda.
“Of course there are advantages to Brexit, but there are also the trade-offs. I do believe there will be short-medium term pain.
“Long term, we will be fine either way.
“The problem is how much suffering are we prepared to endure for this holy grail. We will suffer, by how much I don’t know but I believe in time we will prosper again.
“I voted leave, I regret doing so (perhaps there’s more than one of us?).
“I regret doing so because of the mess this has become but not because I think things should remain as they are.
“The EU relationship needed to change, some of the red lined terms needed attention and they still do.
“The Utopia would be for us and the EU to wake up, talk, listen to what was a protest vote and create a mandate for moving forward inside the EU under revised terms that works for a better European society.
“That unfortunately will be wishful thinking and so myself and other small business owners will continue to go about our business influencing the things we can whilst trying not to worry too much about the things that we can’t.”
The commercial lawyer
Richard Osborn is a real estate/commercial property lawyer at Excello Law
“There is no doubt that the current uncertain political and economic climate is making it challenging for businesses locally and nationally to plan ahead – we are seeing investment decisions being put on hold, deals delayed and a general nervousness in the market.
“That said, Leicester businesses have shown time and again how resilient they can be to change and to challenging circumstances so I am sure that we will all plough on and do the best we can.
“I think in the last recession, it became a self-fulfilling prophesy and we almost talked ourselves into recession.
“This time around, I think business leaders and influencers have learnt from that and how sensitive the market can be to negative statements and it is therefore important that we all remain positive and upbeat, however difficult that may feel.
“What do the Government/Parliament do now? Who knows, but having been found by the Supreme Court to have unlawfully prorogued Parliament, it is difficult to see how Boris Johnson’s position can be tenable.
“It seems that he will have little option but to request a Brexit extension that will then give the breathing space for a November election, which will broadly be a single-issue election.
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“We have to be respectful of democracy and the people did make a decision in 2016 – that said, people can change their minds and I sense that, given the closeness of the original referendum, the balance of the country has shifted sufficiently to take the country now to a Remain majority if the country were to be asked again, particularly given the greater understanding now.
“For that reason, I would like to see a second referendum – I am not sure that an election is necessarily the right route, although it may be inevitable, particularly if the two main parties have new leaders in the next month, which I would not rule out – Boris Johnson’s long-term position is untenable and Jeremy Corbyn is unelectable, so perhaps an opportunity for a Lib Dem coalition government again…”
The waste specialist
Paul Baker runs Leicester-based commercial waste specialist Baker’s Waste
“Could Brexit be good for business? Yes, as people who are holding back on decisions will start to make them.
“Brexit has been a worry for many leaders I have spoken to and even if it doesn’t directly affect their business its clear business leaders I talk to it will affect everyone one way or another.
“I just want the Government to make a decision so we can deal with what we have to deal with rather than prolonging it further.
“Good or bad, we as a country will come together and get over it.
“Well in many ways no deal hurts both us and Europe so you would want to believe neither side would let it happen.
“It’s amazing what they can do when they want to so no reason why they can’t get a deal done in the 11th hour.
“A no-deal would be good for the fact it’s at least clarity. I think short-term pain but probably better long term gain.
“Should the PM resign? No as just more delay. I am not a fan of him other than the fact at least you know what he wants and seems set on delivering it.”