Even though it can feel like Brexit is being played out in the corridors of Westminster and Brussels, decisions taken over the coming months will have a profound impact in Swindon and beyond. Businesses large and small, like car manufacturers and exporters, will be impacted by future customs arrangements and how this affects supply chains. Our public finances will continue to come under more pressure following eight years of austerity. Huge swathes of our economy and society including our NHS, face huge questions over availability of labour.

Brexit is the biggest challenge facing Swindon and our country. It is vital that the UK gets a good Brexit deal. To do that we need a debate on the detail not soundbites. This isn’t a re-run of the referendum – that debate has ended. The Swindon Brexit Summit is about setting out clearly what a good Brexit — if there is one — would look like for for the area. We’ve brought together businesses, politicians, and trade unionists in order to facilitate a wide-ranging and open debate on Britain leaving the European Union.

Organised by Clare Moody MEP, the summit will include presentations from speakers as well as a Q+A panel. Speakers include:

Patrick Keating - European Government Affairs Manager, Honda

Clare Moody - Labour MEP for the South West & Gibraltar

Matt Griffith - Director of Policy, Business West

Anneliese Dodds - Shadow Treasury Minister, Labour MP for Oxford East

Simon Dubbins - Director of International and Research, Unite the Union

We need to hear from businesses and industry about what their priorities are as the negotiations continue. Access to labour and future customs arrangements are but two imperatives that spring to mind, and we’re sure that there are many more. It is vital for politicians at home, in Westminster and on the continent to know that areas like Swindon are engaged in a rational conversation about what would serve our town, and ultimately the country, best. We need to both be thinking about the immediate future, but also what our area may look like in 10, 20, and even 30 years time - what are the major industries of employment? Where do we expect growth and - sadly - recession to take place? How do businesses need to adapt to the challenges ahead? One of the largest factors, if not the largest, will be Brexit.

Tea and coffee will be served at registration from 10am. A sandwich lunch will conclude the event.