Businesses are “angry and frustrated” at the political crisis in Westminster and want to maintain frictionless trade with the European Union, the Institute of Directors said on Wednesday.
The business lobby group’s survey of 1400 firms found 60% wish to follow Single Market rules on goods and services, and almost as many want the UK to align tariffs with the EU.
As MPs vote today on a range of options two weeks before a potential exit, the IoD’s survey also showed half its respondents want an extension of up to three months with 40% in favour of a nine-month delay.
Interim director Edwin Morgan urged MPs to listen to the views of businesses still in the dark about their trading prospects with the EU nearly three years after the referendum.
He said: “Businesses were told that by now a Brexit transition period would have been secured… That we have got to this late stage with so little to show for it is the cause of deep frustration.”
He added: “Politicians… must take account of the views of business leaders, who understand better than anyone the changes coming to our relationship with our largest trading partner.”
