It looks like wiser heads are beginning to prevail. Apart from Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Tory leader, the Engineering Employers Federation (HERE) are now calling for a different Brexit. They are far more closely aligned to the Labour position and want to prioritise membership of the single market and the customs union. This is also the position of Airbus, who are also asking for continued freedom of movement for their staff.
The election has changed everything. Many Conservative MPs are saying the hard Brexit favoured by the PM cost them votes and contributed to the loss of seats. Perhaps more companies and bankers will now feel able to speak out in a more conciliatory atmosphere. With luck, the voices of reason will begin to be heard.
The EU are making moves to see Euro clearing moved out of London and having failed once before, ironically by courtesy of the ECJ, they will probably succeed this time. Will this start to have an impact? Many financial companies are already committed to moving into the EU and it may be too late to avert some job losses (HERE). The EEF have already warned of other companies beginning to move away from the UK. It would only take some more bad economic news carried on the main news channels to perhaps further persuade leavers of the folly of leaving the single market.
Is the ship of state slowly starting to turn? I hope so. If we can remain in the single market there will be a convincing argument to remain in the EU where we will at least have some influence over the Directives and Regulations.
