The British Fashion Council calls for People's Vote on Brexit

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has called for a second referendum vote on Brexit, saying that a no-deal scenario should be “avoided at all costs”.

The statement was released a day after Prime Minister Theresa May suffered a resounding defeat over her Brexit deal. Following five days of debate over her plan, MPs voted 432 to 202 against her deal - the largest government defeat in history.

“The ongoing uncertainty and confusion that a no deal creates will have a negative impact on our industry, where investment is already impacted from the uncertainty being faced,” the group said in a statement released on Tuesday. “A no deal situation will result in no transition period, and with an industry that is predominantly small and medium-sized enterprises, we would struggle to cope with the trade realities that it would bring.

“Considering the above and the industry’s preference to remain, based on all polls pre and post referendum, we are supporting the call for The People’s Vote as the preferred current option to minimise the impact to industry based on there being no valid deal on the table. We will continue to work with Government and designer businesses to navigate these difficult times and consider all options put forward.”

UK retail continues to struggle as Brexit looms

Launched in April 2018, the People's Vote is a British campaign group led by Labour MP Chuka Umunna that calls for a public vote on the final Brexit deal.

Following the the PMs landslide defeat on Tuesday, bosses from some of the UK’s biggest retailers attended an emergency conference call to discuss the vote’s outcome, Sky News reported. During the call, Chancellor Philip Hammond and Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay were urged for reassurance over the likelihood of a no-deal outcome.

‘The time for Parliamentary games is over’

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) also voiced its concerns about a potential no-deal departure in a statement on Tuesday. “The events in Westminster are cause for serious concern. A no-deal Brexit means the public will face higher prices and less choice on the shelves,” said BRC chief executive, Helen Dickinson. “British businesses desperately need certainty about the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU and will be severely disadvantaged by a no deal.

“This really is crunch time and politicians must come together around a workable solution that safeguards consumers from the costs and disruptions of new constraints on the tariff-free and frictionless trade we currently enjoy with partners in the EU. The time for Parliamentary games is over.”

In December, the Bank of England estimated that a no-deal Brexit could drive up UK shop prices by as much as 10 per cent.

Photo courtesy of the British Fashion Council