Following the success of the 2017 Plymouth Brexit Summit, Luke Pollard MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport will host the 2018 Plymouth Brexit Summit on Friday 7 September at the University of Plymouth, Roland Levinsky Lecture Theatre from 10am – 5.30pm. The theme of the 2018 Plymouth Brexit Summit is ‘How Prepared is Plymouth and the far South West for Brexit?’. With the possibility of the UK crashing out of the EU without a trade deal, Luke wants to prompt debate in the city about how we can best prepare for the possible scenarios around Brexit.

Following the summit last year which was an election pledge for the new Plymouth MP, Luke Pollard published his 10 Brexit Principles for Plymouth, available at www.lukepollard.org. The 2018 summit will be a chance to refresh these principles and Plymouth’s policy on Brexit as businesses, trade organisations, Plymouth’s universities, the fishing industry as well as trade unions, young people and community groups come together.

The 2018 Plymouth Brexit Summit is non-party political and is designed for Plymouth to make the most of Brexit. Invites are open with around 150 tickets available for general admission and 100 for delegates to represent regional organisations and businesses. Free tickets are available at: https://helmtickets.com/events/2198/2018-plymouth-brexit-summit.

You can download a printable PDF version of the agenda by clicking this link here.

The summit will feature set piece speeches on the view from Europe, Westminster and Plymouth as well discussion about the negotiations and the impact on our city. There will also be a series of interactive Q&A panels around the key planks of Plymouth’s economy, including on jobs, trade and business, the environment, fishing and farming.

Confirmed speakers to date include South West MEP, Clare Moody, representatives from Plymouth City Council, trade unions and local businesses. Chief executive of the Real Ideas Organisation, Lindsey Hall will be speaking once again. Last year Labour’s Brexit Secretary, Sir Keir Starmer QC MP joined and similar, high profile MPs have been invited once again. More details of speakers will be announced in due course.

Luke Pollard MP said:

“During last year’s General Election I raised concerns about the lack of detail on Brexit. That’s why I pledged to hold a Plymouth Brexit Summit within my first 100 days as an MP and I’m proud to be hosting this follow up summit a year on from fulfilling that original pledge.

 

The 2018 summit could not come at a more important time, just over a month before the final deal where our future relationship between the UK and EU will be agreed. We know a good Brexit must secure jobs, protect existing rights and get a better deal for industries like fishing. But the time for the Government’s negotiations is almost up and I remain concerned they have spent too much arguing amongst themselves and not enough time putting the country and Plymouth’s interests first.

 

There is still a distinct lack of deal on what leaving the EU looks like and the Government are yet to rule out the possibility of a catastrophic no-deal that would clog our ports, put new taxes on our imports and exports and damage jobs. No matter whether you voted leave or remain, I don’t believe anyone in Plymouth voted to be poorer. Brexit is the single most important political event in our lifetime and getting the detail right is essential if Plymouth is to be helped not harmed by Brexit.

 

I don’t trust the Government to put Plymouth’s interests first, just look at the state of our transport links and investment compared to London. I have always said to do that we need a debate on the detail not soundbites. That’s why once again I am gathering together Plymouth’s and wider region’s businesses, trade bodies, trade unions, industries and the Universities to help guide my position and ensure we are as prepared as we can be for the uncertainty ahead.

 

Whether you voted leave or remain, we all want a good Brexit deal for Plymouth. Come along and tell our city what your company, organisation or group needs from Brexit. Places are still available and you still have time to register.”

Where can I sign up?

• Tickets are available for general admission and for delegates at https://helmtickets.com/events/2198/2018-plymouth-brexit-summit

 What are Luke’s 10 Brexit Principles?

• A Brexit deal must ensure that Plymouth stays an open and welcoming city, able to attract and retain world-class talent.
• A good deal for jobs must protect Plymouth’s businesses, funding, and rights at work, while modernising and up-skilling Plymouth’s workforce.
• A good deal for education will protect higher education funding and participation in Horizon 2020 and allow Plymouth students to continue to study abroad in the EU as part of Erasmus+.
• A good deal for marine must deliver a fairer deal for Plymouth’s fisheries, especially the under ten fleet, maintain the funding of Plymouth’s world-class marine science institutions and the ability to collaborate with EU universities to draw down on lucrative EU funding programmes.
• A good Brexit deal must protect Plymouth’s local environment by retaining European environmental protections, establishing a new environmental regulator and ensure the UK’s ongoing participation in European efforts to tackle climate change.
• A good Brexit deal for food and farming must maintain high regulatory standards and ensure frictionless and tariff-free access for the South West’s agricultural goods to EU markets.
• A good Brexit deal for investment and funding will ensure that the UK Government matches every penny of EU funding the far south west stands to lose as result of leaving the EU.
• A good deal for Plymouth’s manufacturers, exporters and importers will have no new tariff barriers and will include a sufficient transition period so that there is no cliff edge that will hurt local businesses.
• A good defence and security deal will ensure Plymouth is no less safe than we were in the EU, and will properly review and fund the UK’s defences and continued access to the successful EU arrest warrant, Europol and security co-operation systems.
• A good Brexit deal for Plymouth will be resilient and prevent a cliff edge no-deal scenario. Plymouth’s port at Millbay must be kept open and planes must be able to fly in and out of the United Kingdom without new hinderances.