MP backs plan for continued cat and dog fur ban after Brexit

Sefton Central Labour MP Bill Esterson has called on politicians to create the stability and certainty needed for the UK’s car industry to thrive post-Brexit.

Speaking at the launch of a project to maximise the benefits of new technology in the car industry, the MP said politicians should follow the lead of the employers’ and workers’ representatives the CBI and TUC in working together for the benefit of the country.

The MP said the TUC and CBI speaking with one voice was an example of what proper leadership looked like.

Mr Esterson welcomed the launch of Connected Catapult, telling MPs and representatives of the car industry that there was a huge opportunity for the UK in autonomous vehicles and in low and zero emissions transport, but that politicians needed to create stability and certainty and reach a compromise around Brexit if the industry was to be in a position to thrive.

At the event in Parliament on Wednesday (April 3), Mr Esterson called on MPs to follow the example of industry and work together to ensure a close economic partnership with the UK’s biggest trading partners and nearest neighbours on the continent of Europe.

The MP, who is also a Shadow Business and International Trade Minister, said: “The car industry is a real success story for the UK economy. It has 860,000 jobs, of which 186,000 are in manufacturing. The Liverpool City Region benefits from the presence of JLR, Ford and Vauxhall and it is vital for my constituents that we continue to see success in this sector.

“The launch of Connected Catapult to support the development of autonomous vehicles and low and zero emission vehicles is really good news for the industry and for those who work in it. I was thrilled to be asked to speak to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) parliamentary launch of the new Connected Catapult and to support the exciting news of the plans for the automotive sector.

“The plans also recognise that transport has a vital role to play in decarbonising the economy, which has an estimated global economic benefit of $26 trillion.

“The last Labour government set up the automotive council in 2009 and the partnership between government, business and the trade unions has gone from strength to strength since the challenges faced in the global financial crisis. That partnership meant that record levels of investment were made into the industry up until 2016. But since the Brexit referendum, investment has stalled due to business uncertainty.

“The SMMT has been one of the organisations working with MPs from across parliament to try to find a compromise and a way forward on Brexit that maintains trade and a close economic partnership with the main customers for the car industry on the continent of Europe.

“Without such a partnership, the jobs of hundreds of thousands of workers would be at risk. And it has been very encouraging to see Frances O’Grady, the General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress and Carolyn Fairbairn, the Director General of the Confederation of British Industry speaking with one voice about the need for a Plan B for Brexit which delivers for employers and workers. The fact that the representatives of employers and the representative of workers can join forces, shows what can be achieved. That’s what leadership looks like and I sincerely hope that politicians of all parties will follow their lead in the National Interest.

“The plans for new technology in the car industry, to make the UK world leaders in autonomous and electric vehicles are a sign of the exciting opportunities which lie ahead. I hope that we can sort out Brexit and make sure that the people of this country can benefit from the increased prosperity which can result from such changes.”