FOR decades, Scotch whisky has been an international success story. But concern is growing within the industry that, as the Brexit date of March 29 draws ever closer with no sign of an exit deal being ratified, trade with the European Union (EU) is going to be significantly disrupted after that date. For some that worry is morphing into exasperation.
Political support for Prime Minister Theresa May’s troubled Withdrawal Agreement is thin on the ground. Yet, even though forecasts from the Bank of England the UK Government signal her deal will be worse for our economy than remaining within the bloc, sections of the business community have been urging politicians to approve it in Parliament.
Billy Walker is among that camp. The distiller, who concedes that he would have preferred that the UK stayed in the EU, is not saying the May deal is perfect. Instead, he views the May deal as a starting point.
Striking a sanguine tone, which reflects the decades he has spent at the forefront of a global industry, Mr Walker observed that deals such as May’s are not set in stone. They do not last forever and can, in theory, be steadily fine-tuned over time,
Of course, there are big benefits the UK will lose under May’s proposal, exiting the customs union being one. But, with just 80 days until March 29, and the economy already badly hampered by the lack of progress, the exasperation in the business community is palpable. Business needs certainty, and if Brexit is going to happen, companies need as much of that as possible.
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