The MPs have written to Theresa May with a series of questions about the impact of the government’s plan on auto manufacturing in the North East after she delivered a Brexit speech last week about leaving the Single Market and Customs Union.
The warning by the MPs comes after comments from Nissan chief, Carlos Ghosn, who said that when his company sees the final Brexit deal negotiated by the Prime Minister they will “have to re-evaluate the situation” regarding the “competiveness” of Nissan’s Sunderland plant.
This is despite the fact that Nissan committed to continue investing in the plant back in October after getting a private guarantee from the government.
The letter, which has been organised by the Open Britain Campaign, warns that May’s “hard Brexit” decision has “cast doubt over thousands of jobs across the North East; over the future of the UK as an attractive destination for global investors; and over our position as a global leader in advanced manufacturing”.
Julie Elliott, MP for Sunderland Central and leading supporter of Open Britain, said: “The government’s greatest priority in the Brexit negotiations should be protecting jobs, like the many thousands employed by Nissan and its supply chain in the North East.
“Outside the single market and customs union, jobs will be insecure as there will be new trade barriers between us and our largest trading partner – the EU. There is no mandate for this from voters. It is the Prime Minister’s choice and working people will pay the price.
“If a hard Brexit does lead to people being laid off in Sunderland and elsewhere, the Prime Minister must swallow her pride, change course, and keep Britain in the single market and customs union.”
You can view the letter, here.
