British MPs, lobby group pressure against 'hard Brexit'

London

PARLIAMENTARIANS and the Confederation of British Industry are pressurising the government not to leave the European Single Market.

The moves have placed premier Theresa May's government, which has a mere 16 parliamentary majority, in a dilemma. A so-called "soft Brexit", similar to the European Union (EU) deals of Norway and Switzerland would imply that Britain would have to accept free movement of labour and continue to make substantial contributions to the EU budget. Such an agreement would be contrary to the wishes of the 52 per cent or some 17 million voters, who chose Brexit in the referendum.

According to polls, the vast majority of these voters want control of the UK's borders. They also want Britain to sc…