BY BRIAN BRADLEY

Brian Bradley, Stockport president, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce

CHANGE and uncertainty are the two words of the moment; on social media, in newspapers and in conversations with almost everybody I meet – the nation appears to be reeling from the European Union Referendum results.

On June 23, 52 per cent of voters opted to leave the EU, whilst 48 per cent voted to remain. Whichever way you voted the fact is that it was the highest turnout in a UK-wide vote since 1992.

It has been almost two weeks now, and although not much has really changed yet, it has been a turbulent time with PMs and MPs leaving their posts left, right and centre almost as fast as Roy Hodgson did after England’s defeat to Iceland (another way we’ve exited Europe in the last two weeks, although this one wasn’t our choice).

My view is that now the decision has been made we have to accept the result and begin working together to ensure our economy stays strong. It is important that the businesses in the UK are provided with clarity, support and representation – and I believe the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce is well placed to deliver that.

There is also change on a local level in Stockport; a new political era has dawned as Labour became the biggest party in the area for the first time in nearly two decades. The council is still under no overall control, but the Labour group now has 23 of the 63 seats. With this we welcome a new leader to Stockport Council, Councillor Alex Ganotis.

I wish Alex all the best in his new role and I am positive he will maintain the momentum on Stockport’s ambitious growth plans which will position us favourably going forward.