The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Fife businesses fear hard Brexit
Sir Keir Starmer MP has been quizzed by bosses from around 20 Fife businesses at a ‘Brexit breakfast’ held in Lochore.
The Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union was invited to Fife by Kirkcaldy MP Lesley Laird at the request of Fife Chamber of Commerce.
The business breakfast event, which took place at the Willie Clarke Centre in Lochore Meadows, saw the MP for Holborn and St Pancras field direct questions from Fife firms.
Speaking afterwards, Mrs Laird said: “Firms in the kingdom are naturally concerned about the potential implications of Brexit, the merits of a ‘deal versus no-deal’ scenario when the UK leaves the European Union next year – and what challenges a post-Brexit world could present them in the years ahead.
“It’s incredibly beneficial for businesses to have an opportunity to pose questions directly to authoritative politicians at the heart of Brexit – and Keir certainly has the expertise to answer them.
“I hope the event proved informative and, last but not least, I’d like to extend my thanks to Fife Chamber of Commerce who helped organise it.”
Mr Starmer said: “It’s clear many companies in Fife – and indeed across Scotland – are frustrated that the Tories in Westminster have not listened to them during the negotiations.”
Alan Mitchell, chief executive of Fife Chamber of Commerce, noted: “It is vitally important that senior politicians from across Holyrood and Westminster understand what challenges and opportunities Fife’s businesses are facing, so that they can develop policies that will give our members practical and timely support.”