Stephen Welton

While the House of Commons increasingly becomes an echo chamber, thank goodness that outside of Westminster life continues for UK business and the 5.7 million small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) which form the backbone of the economy. Brexit uncertainty is a concern for many of them, but eyes remain fixated on progress and the future, not politics. Brexit has become an immoveable impasse in public discourse, a distraction from the really important challenges and opportunities that the UK and Ireland face. Whilst the chaos prevails, business has become an afterthought for the custodians of the economic success of the country. The lack of focus on any other issue over the last three years has now put the country on an economic cliff-edge. Last year, the UK economy grew by a mere 1.

With 31 working days until negotiations time out, Theresa May has been selling her vision for post-Brexit Britain to businesses in Northern Ireland. The Prime Minister is hoping her visit will reaffirm the government’s commitment to thwarting any chance of a hard border and sell an agreement that Northern Ireland can get behind, all the while searching for the key to unlock the Westminster stalemate. Those addressed by May – a business community in Northern Ireland that has endured years of uncertainty on the future of trade with their neighbours – has thus far been drowned out by the political noise. Yet while our politicians talk, businesses in Ireland have been quietly doing what they do best: making decisions and going for growth.