The leaders of the 53 Commonwealth member states are meeting in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting this week. UK Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to make use of her speech at the business forum today to boost trade as Brexit looms.
Ahead of the meeting, May said in a statement that “our Commonwealth family already accounts for one-fifth of global trade.” And “we must continue to work together to build further upon this solid foundation by building on our existing trade links and establishing new ones.” May is set to unveil new programs to boost Commonwealth-wide support to women-owned businesses. There will also be new funding for a new Commonwealth Standards Network to establish a common language for goods and services.
Separately, a major push for a “people’s vote” on the final Brexit deal was launched by MPS of different parties, celebrities and business leaders. The MPs included Conservative Anna Soubry, Labour’s Chuka Umunna, the Greens’ Caroline Lucas and Liberal Democrat Layla Moran.
