|
|
The letter, which has been signed by both Leave and Remain supporters, was organised by the former Conservative cabinet minister Dame Caroline Spelman and Labour’s Jack Dromey.
Dame Caroline told BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Hour: “Crashing out of the EU without a deal will cause job losses and bring to an end the renaissance of manufacturing that we’ve seen in regions like mine in the West Midlands, and both Jack Dromey and I know the human interest and impact of this.”
All signatories to the letter have been invited to meet Theresa May in Downing Street on Tuesday. The prime minister is also hosting drinks receptions for Tory MPs on Monday and Wednesday as part of a charm offensive to win support for the Brexit deal.
While the letter does not bind the signatories to supporting the prime minister’s deal, Dame Caroline said it offers a “platform” which would stabilise the economy and offer reassurance to businesses.
“We are united on one thing – we want to protect jobs and livelihoods by making sure we don’t crash out without a deal,” she said.
“If parliament gives expression to not wanting to crash out without a deal, it means effort has got to be renewed to find an agreement which is acceptable to a majority of parliamentarians.
“Taking a step back and at least agreeing we’re not going to crash out without a deal means that on 29 March we’re not just going to fall over the cliff edge.”
Ms May has warned that the UK will be in “uncharted territory” if the deal is rejected in the vote, expected on 15 January. [...]
Full article on The Independent