Disarray in UK's Brexit negotiation policy alarms EU stakeholders

London

EUROPEAN Union (EU) Brexit negotiators, businesses and banks are alarmed that the British government is in disarray. They fear that contradictions in the UK's Brexit negotiation policy, will raise uncertainty in Britain and Europe and cause an economic slowdown.

Illustrating the confusion, Premier Theresa May has promised independent free trade agreements with the US, China, Australia and others, but this can only occur if the UK leaves the EU's customs union. A sizeable number of Conservative and opposition MPs wish to remain in the single market and hence the customs union. Cross party MPs who prior to the referendum backed "remain" in the EU have formed a cross-party group called the "all-party parliamentary group on EU relations". The aim is to oppose hard Brexit and members include former Tory minister Anna Soubry and prominent Labour backbencher Chuka Umunna.