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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Oliver Milne

Brexit: Business chief's attack on 'irresponsible' MPs - 'you've let us down'

Politicians have "let down" British business with their "irresponsible" handling of Brexit - a top business leader has said.

Dr Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce said Parliament had spent three years "going round in circles".

The deadlock had left companies and communities facing "mass disruption" and people were "angry and frustrated" at Westminster.

In a speech to the BCC's annual conference in London, he will accuse politicians of focusing on "soundbites not substance" and of "listening without hearing".

Theresa May gets some heavy - if indirect - criticism (PA)

Brexit: Second referendum blocked by just a handful of Labour MPs  

He will say: "Too many critical questions remain unanswered. No-one would run a business like this, and it is no way to run a country.

"It cannot be right that we leave in a way where government itself predicts there will be mass disruption to businesses and communities.

"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.

"But we in business must make it clear that our elected representatives cannot keep chasing rainbows.

"Like all of us in business, they need to start making tough decisions, however personally or politically difficult they might be.

Brexit: What the hell happened last night and what happens now?

The speech will say Parliament is damaging Britain's business reputation (AFP/Getty Images)

Brexit: What the hell happened last night and what happens now?  

"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."

Dr Marshall will call for the UK's "hard won" international reputation as a great place to do business to be restored.

Last night Theresa May played her final card by offering to quit in May if MPs back her Brexit deal.

Yet she looks to have lost the poker game after 30 Tory MPs and her DUP allies refused to back her.

Meanwhile MPs finally voted for what they want from Brexit - and decided they didn't want anything.

It leaves Parliament deadlocked and having to make a series of decisions that will change our future over the next week.

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