Blog: The UK cannot leave the EU without a deal – the risk is too great

In two months, the UK is set to leave the European Union. At present, a ‘no-deal’ Brexit is a real possibility. The Prime Minister’s draft withdrawal agreement has been comprehensively rejected. The country stands at an economic and social cliff edge and as things stand, we are moving closer to catastrophe with each passing day. As General Secretary of the UK’s largest union, representing 1.3 million public servants, a million women and hundreds of thousands of low-paid workers, I’ve been clear on what needs to happen. The UK cannot leave the EU without a deal – the risk is too great. There isn’t enough time to resolve the ongoing political turmoil – so Article 50 must be extended. And proper consideration needs to be given to options like a customs union or Norway-style deal that could afford some level of protection on jobs, wages and public services. Last week, I met the Prime Minister in Downing Street. I spoke to her at length about the concerns of public service workers. I told her that years of austerity at the hands of her party mean public services are already at breaking point. I told her that the economic calamity of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit would wreck the economy and cause untold damage to services which simply can’t take further pain. I told her about the lives of those UNISON represents – the hospital porters, librarians and school cooks –and the pressure her government has already put them under. I told her that rights at w...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: General secretary's blog News BREXIT Source Type: news