‘We have watched on with a degree of horror’: CBI chief lashes the Tory civil war and says May’s deal has ‘benefits for business’ as she urges politicians to move on from Brexit
- Carolyn Fairbairn issued stern rebuke to squabbling politicians in Westminster
- The business boss offered some desperately-needed warm words for PM’s deal
- Theresa May warned Tory rebels their mutiny could backfire and stop Brexit
The boss of the CBI today blasted the Tory Brexit civil war – saying business chiefs have ‘watched on in horror’ at the torrid division in Westminster.
Carolyn Fairbairn, director general of the group which represents British business, said the public are sick of the Brexit psychodrama and want politicians to think about domestic issues.
She urged MPs to ‘listen to business’ when they consider how they cast their ballots in the crucial Brexit vote next month.
And she said that Theresa May’s Brexit deal has ‘some benefits for business’ and opens up a ‘pathway for frictionless trade’ with the EU in the future.
Ms Fairbairn told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday that businesses have ‘watched on with a degree of horror’ at Westminster’s squabbling politicians.
Carolyn Fairbairn (pictured on Sky today), director general or the group which represents British business, said the public are sick of the Brexit psychodrama and want politicians to think about domestic issues
The PM (pictured on Sky this morning) confirmed she is set to fly back for more negotiations with the EU this week as she stressed her under-fire Brexit plan is not fully finished
She said: ‘It almost feels like there is a Westminster bubble beyond which people are not thinking about the real people in this country, who work in our manufacturing businesses, who will be affected by this.
‘Our message from business, and it is a really heartfelt one that comes of frustration and concern about the future, is listen to the businesses in your constituencies.
‘Go out and talk to people whether they now feel it is time to move on, whether it is not time to move beyond this so we can talk about the NHS and skills and all the things that really do matter to our country.
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‘Do that, when they come and they vote they are doing it based on what and businesses really think.’
She added: ‘There is a real danger that this becomes almost a political parlour game in Westminster where there are all sorts of different views that are swirling around while the rest of the country sits on and watches, and they are the ones who are going to be affected.’
She said that while the PM’s plan is ‘not perfect’ and contains ‘compromises’ it ‘does have some benefits for business. It rules out no-deal … and does open up a pathway to frictionless trade in the future.’
The withering rebuke to MPs came as the PM stepped up her fightback against Tory Brexiteer rebels who are trying to oust her and tear up her Brexit plan.
Mrs May gave a rare live TV interview this morning and used it to warn her mutinous MPs that their coup threatens to backfire and stop Brexit altogether.
The PM launched a fightback to defend her plan, and said that when she flies out for talks with the EU this week negotiations will focus on the future trade deal.
She said the next seven days will be ‘critical’ for the plan, which will determine the future of people’s children and grandchildren for years to come.
Steve Baker (pictured in Westminster on Friday) , a Tory MP and organiser in chief for the Conservative Brexiteers, said PM’s ‘deal stops Brexit altogether’
She told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday: ‘A change of leadership at this time is not going to make the negotiations any easier and it is not going to change the parliamentary arithmetic.
‘It will bring uncertainty and increase the risk that we delay the negotiations, and that is a risk that Brexit gets delayed or frustrated.
But Tory Brexit rebels are sticking to their guns and insisting that the PM’s under-fire deal must be ditched in the final few weeks of talks.
Steve Baker, a Tory MP and organiser in chief for the Conservative Brexiteers, hit back saying PM’s ‘deal stops Brexit altogether’.
He told MailOnline: ‘If we go on with her proposal we will end up in a future relationship based on the completely unacceptable backstop.
‘It is completely unacceptable to go forward with the PM’s plan. It is Brexit in name only and it will lead to us losing the next election, and it will be resisted ferociously at every step.’
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