UK's business lobbies warn prime minister against hard Brexit

A group of business lobbyists warn British Prime Minister Theresa May against perusing a “hard Brexit,” calling on her to secure the UK’s access to the European Union market.

According to Press TV, on Friday, the business lobbies signed an open letter in which they urged the government to “make sure that the terms of the deal to leave [the EU] ensure stability, prosperity and improved living standards.”

They called for the government to "give certainty to business by immediately ruling this option under any circumstances,” referring to the so-called “hard Brexit,” which suggests surrendering access to the European Union’s single market and scrapping free movement of EU nationals in return for securing control over immigration.

On June 23, some 52 percent (17.4 million) of British people voted to leave the EU after 43 years of membership.

The vote called Brexit sent shockwaves throughout the world and prompted the EU members to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty -- the step required to officially begin the withdrawal -- as soon as possible in an effort to end what they called political and economic uncertainty

Starting the negotiations would begin a two-year countdown for the UK to separate itself from Brussels.

The letter also suggested EU negotiations will not be completed within two-year time-frame.

ME