Tory Mayor issues ‘no deal’ Brexit warning
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West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, has said access to the single market and customs union post-Brexit is vital for UK businesses.
The Conservative Mayor also warned that a ‘no deal’ Brexit was not an option.
In an interview with the i newspaper, he said the “message is absolutely consistent from the West Midlands that we need to have a trade deal with the EU” and to “if possible maintain access to the single market and customs union”.
Mr Street, who is a former managing director of John Lewis, also called on the Prime Minister to press ahead with negotiations with EU leaders in order to reassure the UK’s regions.
“My hope is that, now we are through the first round, then the second round will lead us to a trade deal with the EU, so we can continue to have the advantage particularly for our manufacturing sector,” he said.
The people of the West Midlands, he continued, were keen to “move on” to the second round of Brexit talks.
Meanwhile, a top EU official has suggested that the bloc will use access to single market for the UK’s vital financial services and aviation industries as a powerful bargaining chip.
They also warned that trade talks could see tensions rise between the UK and its European partners.
Speaking to The Times, the senior EU official said: “This is the moment when irreconcilable interests start to come to the surface.”
“Our differences must not become the opportunity for Britain to divide and rule us. We must fight that. This is when Brexit gets real.”
This comes after EU negotiators confirmed that ‘sufficient progress’ had been made in the Brexit talks to allow them to move on to trade next year.
Mrs May welcomed the agreement, secured at a key European Council summit in Brussels earlier this month.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, she said: "This is an important step on the road to delivering the smooth and orderly Brexit that people voted for in June of last year and the UK and the EU have shown what can be achieved by commitment and perseverance on both sides.
"I’m pleased that it’s been agreed we should make rapid progress on an implementation period that will give certainty to businesses to individuals.
“There’s still more to do but we’re well on the road to delivering the Brexit that will make Britain prosperous, strong and secure."
