Software king of the world Microsoft has thrown its considerable weight behind Theresa May’s Brexit deal.
Writing in her bog, Microsoft’s UK managing director Cindy Rose said the deal was in Vole’s interest because it allowed the “free flow” of data in and out of the UK.
“Many of our customers and partners operate businesses that rely on Microsoft’s cloud computing services. These businesses require the frictionless flow of data across borders in order to operate effectively. We have consistently advocated to the government the need to ensure this data flow continues post-Brexit.”
Microsoft backed the Remain campaign in 2016, calling the UK’s EU membership “one of several important criteria that make it one of the most attractive places in Europe” for an international company to invest in.
Rose said that Microsoft respects the outcome of the EU referendum, and warned that a no-deal Brexit would not provide the certainty required for citizens and businesses.
“The proposed agreement would preserve the rights of our UK and EU citizen employees and their families currently based in the UK and in the EU to remain where they live and work. The agreement also protects the businesses of our customers and partners by helping to ensure the free flow of data across borders. Leaving the EU with no deal would create significant uncertainty with respect to these two priorities. Microsoft, its employees and its customers need a workable deal, not ‘no deal’.
“The proposed agreement is both a necessary compromise and workable; leaving without a deal is neither. We therefore support the proposed agreement as the better option.”
