ITT chairman Steven Freudmann believes “the tide is turning” against PM Boris Johnson and those in Westminster backing a no-deal Brexit.
Freudmann told TTG he shared correspondence with Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson and speaker John Bercow’s office over the summer to lobby on behalf of the travel sector.
The Liberal Democrats at the weekend agreed at its annual conference to make revoking Article 50 and cancelling Brexit the party’s official stance on leaving the EU.
He said he was encouraged by cooperation from MPs and lords sharing ITT’s opposition to Brexit.
“It is the major issue of our time – and it is our job to use ITT’s political connections to make sure the industry’s voice is heard,” said Freudmann.
“I do now see the tide turning against Johnson. How anyone in the industry can want [a no-deal Brexit] is beyond me - it’s more obstacles being put in the way of our customers through a potential increase in border controls and visas.”
Freudmann said the ITT’s stance remained in favour of a second referendum, adding that if there was to be a Brexit, “the very least we can hope for is a managed exit”.
“I think the whole industry would see ‘no deal’ as a disaster,” said Freudmann, who added he had received “numerous phone calls” from ITT members backing the institute’s stance.
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