The British Fashion Council calls for People’s Vote on Brexit

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has called for a second referendum
vote on Brexit, saying that a no-deal scenario should be “avoided at all
costs”.

The statement was released a day after Prime Minister Theresa May
suffered a resounding defeat over her Brexit deal. Following five days of
debate over her plan, MPs voted 432 to 202 against her deal – the largest
government defeat in history.

“The ongoing uncertainty and confusion that a no deal creates will have
a negative impact on our industry, where investment is already impacted
from the uncertainty being faced,” the group said in a statement released
on Tuesday. “A no deal situation will result in no transition period, and
with an industry that is predominantly small and medium-sized enterprises,
we would struggle to cope with the trade realities that it would bring.

“Considering the above and the industry’s preference to remain, based on
all polls pre and post referendum, we are supporting the call for The
People’s Vote as the preferred current option to minimise the impact to
industry based on there being no valid deal on the table. We will continue
to work with Government and designer businesses to navigate these difficult
times and consider all options put forward.”

UK retail continues to struggle as Brexit looms

Launched in April 2018, the People’s Vote is a British campaign group
led by Labour MP Chuka Umunna that calls for a public vote on the final
Brexit deal.

Following the the PMs landslide defeat on Tuesday, bosses from some of
the UK’s biggest retailers attended an emergency conference call to discuss
the vote’s outcome, Sky News reported. During the call, Chancellor Philip
Hammond and Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay were urged for reassurance
over the likelihood of a no-deal outcome.

‘The time for Parliamentary games is over’

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) also voiced its concerns about a
potential no-deal departure in a statement on Tuesday. “The events in
Westminster are cause for serious concern. A no-deal Brexit means the
public will face higher prices and less choice on the shelves,” said BRC
chief executive, Helen Dickinson. “British businesses desperately need
certainty about the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU and will
be severely disadvantaged by a no deal.

“This really is crunch time and politicians must come together around a
workable solution that safeguards consumers from the costs and disruptions
of new constraints on the tariff-free and frictionless trade we currently
enjoy with partners in the EU. The time for Parliamentary games is
over.”

In December, the Bank of England estimated that a no-deal Brexit could
drive up UK shop prices by as much as 10 per cent.