Ambiguous Davis

Theresa May’s government seems intent on putting forward an upbeat and ‘optimistic’ stance on the current state of Brexit negotiations.

David Davis has suggested that the chances of leaving the EU without a trade deal have dropped dramatically, talking up a Canada plus–type agreement. A sense of momentum is good.

But another phrase is also on commentators’ lips - ‘constructive ambiguity’, as the idea that we can be in the single market and out of it at the same time, seems to getting some airtime. This debate is not without its nuances and we’d be wise not to distil our position on Brexit to simple sound bites. Close questioning of Scotland’s business leaders reveals that pleasing everyone is not going to be straightforward.

Our research suggests that around 10% of business leaders are in favour of Brexit, with 90% against. However, this is not as clear cut as it would appear. Just as it cannot be said that all of those who voted to leave also voted to exit the single market, neither is it the case that all those who voted to remain don’t welcome the option of new trading arrangements with overseas partners.

These are just two examples of the interesting vital undercurrent of alternative narratives and complexities of opinion. It’s good to be optimistic but let’s not lose sight of the complexities ahead.

MICHELLE THOMSON

Founding Director, Momentous