BUSINESS has “coped admirably” with a period of disruption but needs certainty as Britain prepares to leave the EU.

That was the reaction from the chief executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry to a Queen’s Speech which tore up much of the Conservative Party manifesto.

The speech set out a legislative timetable for two years which will be dominated by preparations for Brexit.

Of 27 Bills and draft bills unveiled in the first Queen's Speech under Theresa May’s government, eight are devoted to the complex process of withdrawal from the EU. These include a Repeal Bill to overturn the 1972 Act which took Britain into the European Economic Community and separate Bills on customs, trade, immigration, fisheries, agriculture, nuclear safeguards and the international sanctions regime.

Ian Girling, chief executive of DCCI, said: “The very first lines in the Queen’s Speech promised certainty for business and individuals as we leave the EU.

“Our members and business in general hoped coped admirably with a period of disruption but now we need to see some stability.

“Certainty over the direction of Brexit will be crucial as will transparency and clear, two-way communication between government and business.

“The devil will be in the detail once the Brexit legislation is introduced, and many members in sectors such as tourism and health will have concerns about the issue of the free movement of labour.

“Furthermore, it is time to ensure the economy is placed ‘front and centre’ in political decision making once again for the best long term prospects of our country however Brexit eventually unfolds.”

Simon Boyd, campaigner for Brexit and managing director of REIDsteel in Christchurch, said: “Our MPs now need to step aside from the political divide over Brexit.”

He added: “If they play party politics over a clean Brexit from the EU it will damage the country.

“Our politicians need to wake up. People know when they are being sold down the river.

“Playing party politics to stall legislation for the slightest political gain will be seen as sabotaging the clean Brexit as voted for in the EU referendum.”