New political balls, please!

Did you know Wimbledon’s organisers have been taking out pandemic insurance since 2003?

What may have appeared a needless expense for nearly two decades is now paying dividends – this is long-term thinking we could all learn from.

Our Head of External Affairs, Flora Hutchings, has written a fantastic article about what Wimbledon can teach us about tricky decision making. You can read the full story here.

Given many want it all over and done with, the Government sees short-term political risks in any extension to the Brexit transition period. But looking to the long-term, especially in the midst of a crisis, is what defines good governance. 

It’s not reasonable to expect the UK to replace all our existing trading relationships during a global lockdown – nor is it fair to expect other nations to prioritise negotiations with us. We need the entire world focused on controlling Covid-19 and dealing with the fallout. 

We only have until 30 June to ask for an extension to the transition period – but you’d be surprised how many people aren’t aware of the urgency. Please, share our petition with your friends and followers to spread the word– we don’t have much time.

Calls for the Government to listen to reason, and think in the long-term, have been heard from many sides. Trade bodies like the Freight Transport Association have all called for an extension to the transition period. Businesses which would be frantically preparing for a December deadline are, instead, wrestling with Covid-19.

The Welsh and Scottish governments have both called for a delay. And the largest group in the European Parliament, the European People’s Party has urged Britain to request an extension.

Will you help amplify their voices? Share our petition with your friends and call on the Government to see sense.

Now more than ever, we need to look out for each other. I believe that starts with giving our businesses, our European neighbours and our politicians the time they need to prepare.

The future is uncertain. But our leaders should have the fortitude and the foresight to make sacrifices in the short-term so we can protect our nation in the long-term.

Best wishes,

Naomi Smith
CEO, Best for Britain

PS. You can read our brand-new blog post about Wimbledon, political short-termism and Brexit here. If you agree we need our leaders to step up and request an extension, you can sign our petition here.