Campaign

Trade and the Environment

Best for Britain set up the UK Trade and Business Commission to understand how the UK's new trading relationships are impacting businesses and different sectors of the UK economy and to develop solutions. The Commission's report, Trading our way to prosperity: A blueprint for policymakers, published in June 2023 which contained 114 recommendations designed to enhance the UK’s trading relationships, foster business growth, and navigate through the current challenging landscape.

In June 2023, the first ever Trade Unlocked conference was hosted by Best for Britain at the NEC Birmingham to bring together hundreds of businesses and policymakers to discuss what the future of trade policy must look like. It was the first national conference that empowered businesses of all sizes from all parts of the economy and all corners of the country to speak directly to decision makers.

The message from businesses was clear: the UK Government cannot meet its targets of growth without listening to the business community and drawing on their expertise. Any government serious about growth must strengthen our relationship with our closest and largest trading partners in the EU.



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  • Blog

    Seeing is believing

    This week, Best for Britain travelled to Belfast with the U.K. Trade and Business Commission.

    Read more

  • Blog

    Simplify trade. Work together. Save the Earth.

    Find out more about Best for Britain's campaigns. How we trade should reflect what we believe in. The climate crisis requires global action. Britain can lead the way. Best for Britain wants to simplify trade, work together and save the Earth.

    Read more

  • Petition

    Let’s protect the UK’s standards and international reputation

    UK STANDARDS ARE UNDER THREAT. STAND AGAINST WATERED-DOWN STANDARDS AND PROTECTIONS IN POST-BREXIT TRADE DEALS

    Sign now

Campaign News

July 17, 2023 For the EU it turns out no deal could be better than a bad deal July 03, 2023 Trade Unlocked: Businesses find their voice post-Brexit June 21, 2023 Labour announce new era of economic diplomacy at Trade Unlocked conference June 14, 2023 UK travel industry calls for improved UK-EU labour mobility June 01, 2023 Landmark new trade policy platform recommends ‘OBR for Trade’ and beneficial alignment May 31, 2023 Post-Brexit trade deals which undercut UK businesses come into force May 28, 2023 Ardent Leave areas now favour closer UK-EU relationship as Brexit attitudes shift May 28, 2023 New attitudes poll: Voters want relationship with Europe May 22, 2023 Most Leave voters say Brexit has been a failure May 17, 2023 As election manifestos are being written, now is the time for the business community to be the squeaky wheel, and the oil May 16, 2023 Farage admits “Brexit has failed” May 14, 2023 British musicians booked for EU festivals down a third on pre-Brexit April 20, 2023 Major new conference will ‘set a course for growth’ before next election April 17, 2023 Our relationship with the US (and beyond) will reflect our relationship with the EU April 09, 2023 'Bonfire of Rights' Bill delayed as Tory peers threaten revolt April 03, 2023 Hard Brexit to blame for Dover chaos March 31, 2023 Vote Leave Government joins trade bloc March 22, 2023 Windsor Framework passes in House of Commons March 22, 2023 Business leaders call on MPs to back the Windsor Framework March 06, 2023 Beyond the Windsor Framework: 5 steps for resetting our relationship with the EU February 28, 2023 UK Business Leaders Unite Behind "Windsor Framework" February 27, 2023 Windsor Framework: Reopening of Horizon Europe negotiations highlights benefits of pragmatic UK-EU dialogue February 21, 2023 Supermarket rationing: Supply chains "less resilient" due to Brexit February 17, 2023 The Northern Ireland Protocol: What it is, what it isn’t and everything else you need to know. January 31, 2023 3 years since Brexit: UK forecast to be the only economy to shrink in 2023 January 18, 2023 'Bonfire of Rights' Bill will unleash chaos January 08, 2023 New Brexit Poll: Sceptics now outnumber Brexit cheerleaders among Tory voters January 08, 2023 Brexit sceptics now outnumber cheerleaders among Tory voters according to new poll December 31, 2022 Wavering voters dent Labour lead as new poll shows Starmer out of step with his supporters on Brexit red lines December 20, 2022 CER Report: Reduce trade barriers with EU to give business boost December 09, 2022 Hunt’s financial reforms are regulatory ‘race to the bottom’ November 22, 2022 Starmer CBI speech: Labour Leader must make the positive case for immigration November 14, 2022 Eustice should apologise for misleading UK over “not very good” Australia trade deal October 28, 2022 New polling: 57% would vote to rejoin EU September 05, 2022 New PM set to break law September 01, 2022 Festival of Brexit flop mirrors Brexit itself August 05, 2022 "Simply stupid" to describe HGV plan as 'Brexit Bonus' August 02, 2022 Mogg should apologise for Dover deceit July 21, 2022 Tough Gig: 45% drop in British acts booked for European festivals post-Brexit June 30, 2022 Best for Breakfast: Government has egg on face as price of fry-up climbs June 27, 2022 NI Protocol Bill is a stain on Britain's reputation June 23, 2022 Referendum day 6 years on: 6 big lies June 22, 2022 Resolution foundation: Brexit deal will leave us worse off for years to come June 13, 2022 No Backsies: Law-breaking government told new law will break international law May 17, 2022 No-Deal Brexit 2: The sequel no one asked for May 10, 2022 Any port in a Stormont: Why the DUP must be helped down from their Protocol petard April 07, 2022 UK Trade and Business Commission: Meeting on Import Checks April 01, 2022 We're not asking for the moon March 30, 2022 Import checks delay an admission the Brexit deal has hit people in their pockets March 22, 2022 A bitesize helping of the UK Trade and Business Commission's annual report March 04, 2022 Seeing is believing February 02, 2022 Brexit has brought us no freedom November 12, 2021 The UK Trade and Business Commission is a shining example of what business leaders and politicians can achieve together October 29, 2021 Replacing lost EU trade could almost double UK shipping emissions September 20, 2021 Food Poverty is not a Fair Trade September 10, 2021 Labour voters most likely to blame shortages on Brexit August 16, 2021 The UK Trade and Business Commission - what is it and what do we do? July 26, 2021 Tiny wine discount dwarfed by Brexit damage July 20, 2021 Government sacrifice safety to address HGV driver shortage June 30, 2021 Response to extension of NI Protocol grace period June 15, 2021 MPs from all four UK nations demand parliamentary scrutiny of Australia trade deal April 07, 2021 We need emergency climate action - not more delay. March 30, 2021 Internationalism fails, and Africa dies a little March 10, 2021 Government has 'betrayed exporters with contradictory approach to trade' November 06, 2020 'Significant disruption' when Brexit transition ends, watchdog warns October 10, 2020 A message from the fields: Beware Johnson, the Pied Piper of farming October 09, 2020 UK trade deal with Australia 'must not legitimise animal mutilation' October 01, 2020 EU triggers legal action over Internal Market Bill, threatening chances of a trade deal September 08, 2020 UK-EU Negotiations: Are we getting what we were promised? July 02, 2020 You can’t kill half a cow: why getting an EU trade deal is a big deal June 19, 2020 Tim Tams, sheep slashing and a $1m Trump donation: Some things Johnson didn’t tell you in that Aussie trade deal speech

Britain’s trade deals must not be a race to the bottom

We are deeply concerned that as the effects of the Brexit deal are hurting traders in Britain and Europe, and as we all grapple with Russia’s war in Ukraine, that the UK Government will sign trade deals that could lower standards. It is vital that negotiators aspire to the highest standards in trade, rights and the environment

The Johnson Government replaced simple, tariff free trade with our closest neighbours in Europe, with new long-distance trading partners half the world away. His successor may well do the same. Not only do these deals often hurt British businesses, farmers, and consumers, they contribute to climate change and make us more reliant on deals with unsavoury regimes around the world. 

Are you with us? Do you believe that we need to hold the Government to account and urge it to forge responsible trading relationships? Sign your name and stand with us. 

3,248 SIGNATURES
10,000 signatures

The Johnson Government replaced simple, tariff free trade with our closest neighbours in Europe, with new long-distance trading partners half the world away. His successor may well do the same. Not only do these deals often hurt British businesses, farmers, and consumers, they contribute to climate change and make us more reliant on deals with unsavoury regimes around the world. 

Are you with us? Do you believe that we need to hold the Government to account and urge it to forge responsible trading relationships? Sign your name and stand with us. 

Help us put a spotlight on sustainable trade

 

The Johnson Government’s trade policy was far from responsible. His administration allowed Brexit to harm British businesses and put UK consumers at a disadvantage. There is no sign his successor will be any better.

When it comes to energy deals, instead of committing to amped-up green solutions in the wake of Russia’s war on Ukraine, Boris Johnson asked the Saudis to increase their oil production. Rather than leading the way on demanding the highest food safety, veterinary and environmental standards post-Brexit, the Johnson Government was happy to entertain a range of trade deals that could significantly undercut British home-grown produce and drive standards down. We must prevent a future administration from pushing forward the same policies. 

We need a sustainable and safe trading strategy, including energy, that helps restore the UK’s security and ensures long-term economic prosperity. Best for Britain is leading the charge - we will keep engaging MPs, keep working with the Lords and keep up the campaigning until we get there. Being a truly global Britain, must mean being best-in-class on standards.

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During regulated election periods the law says we must make sure all donations of £500 or more are from people who are registered to vote in the UK, or companies that are registered and conduct their business in the UK. That's why we ask for your address and a phone number. If the same person donates more than once and their donations add up to more than £500 in the same calendar year, the same rule applies. Donations over £7,500 must be published by the Electoral Commission. Donations we find to be inadmissible may have to be returned.

Outside of election or referendum periods we welcome donations from anyone who wants to help Best for Britain.

Donations by debit/credit card are processed by Stripe.