British manufacturers want Theresa May to revoke Article 50 if no Brexit deal is agreed Two thirds of manufacturer lobby group members backed a revocation of Article 50

Thousands of British manufacturers have called on Theresa May to revoke Article 50 if her Brexit deal is once again rejected by Parliament.

Make UK, a lobby group that represents 20,000 manufacturing firms, wrote to the prime minister and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn pleading for the Brexit uncertainty to end.

It said it was “critical” to the future of the manufacturing industry to end the impasse while also avoiding a no-deal Brexit.

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‘Ambiguity cannot continue’

In a letter seen by The Times, Chief Executive Stephen Phipson wrote: “The majority of our members have told us, in no uncertain terms, that the current situation of short-term extensions and prolonged ambiguity cannot continue.

“Should a parliamentary majority not be achieved this week, or agreement not achieved with the EU at the emergency council meeting, we cannot continue to take damaging short-term decisions or risk a no-deal departure.

“In this scenario, Make UK is calling for the government to revoke article 50.”

It added: “We make this call not to thwart Brexit, but instead feel that it is critical for the future of UK manufacturing businesses and their workforces that we bring the current uncertainty to an end.

“We support the democratic outcome of the referendum, but believe that if an agreement cannot be reached this week, it is now time to acknowledge that the current process has not worked and must be halted.”

Back to Brussels

Ms May will head to Brussels this week to request a short extension of Article 50 past the current 12 April deadline to 30 June, with the possibility of an earlier departure if a deal is agreed.

The extra time, she hopes, will allow her the time to get her deal approved by Parliament – who have rejected the Withdrawal Agreement three times.