No-deal Brexit would be 'flagrant dereliction of MPs' duty', say businesses

'No one would run a business like this – and it is no way to run a country,' says Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce

MPs would be guilty of a “flagrant dereliction of duty” if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal a leading business group has said.

UK firms are “frustrated” and “angry” at Parliament's handling of Brexit, Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), will say in a speech on Thursday.

In a blistering attack aimed directly at MPs, Mr Marshall will say: “You have let British business down. You have focused on soundbites, not substance; tactics, not strategy; politics not prosperity,”

“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.

Businesses have spent three years “going round in circles”, Mr Marshall is expected to tell an audience at the QEII conference centre in Westminster, a stones’ throw from the House of Commons.

“Too many critical questions remain unanswered.

“No one would run a business like this – and it is no way to run a country.”

The government has until 12 April to propose a new Brexit plan if Parliament does not vote through Theresa May’s proposals.

If it cannot agree, the UK will leave with no agreement, an option which is widely predicted to cause large-scale problems for businesses.

“It cannot be right that we leave in a way where government itself predicts there will be mass disruption to businesses and communities,” Mr Marshall is expected to say.

“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.”

The BCC chief will demand that politicians stop “chasing rainbows” and start making difficult 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.”