Accused by opposition lawmakers of “waffling” and lacking detail, Davis suggested there was little to lose to gain the restrictions over immigration despite warnings by European Union officials that Britain must accept the bloc’s four freedoms – including that of free movement – to be a member of the single market.
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In his first Commons statement since becoming Brexit Secretary, David Davis gave a lengthy address short on specific details about the Government’s plan.
Theresa May’s Government is “making it up as it goes along” when it comes to deciding its Brexit strategy, Labour has claimed.
Mr Abe told the Prime Minister that he attached “extreme importance” the relationship with the United Kingdom and reminded her of the level of Japanese investment in Britain.
In his statement to MPs, he said: “Naturally, people want to know what Brexit will mean”.
Mr Davis, flanked by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, insisted there will be no attempt to “delay, frustrate or thwart” the will of the British people for the country to leave the EU.
“Simply, it means leaving the European Union”.
Urged by ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith to confirm that taking control of the UK’s borders was “not negotiable for any other deal”, he said Prime Minister Theresa May had “made it very plain that the current status of immigration can not go on and we will bring it to an end as part of this process”.
“It means getting the best deal for Britain – one that is unique to Britain and not an “off the shelf” solution”.
Secondly, numerous ideas listed by the government are not at all radical – many British firms also want open access to European Union markets and a steady supply of workers from the continent and elsewhere around the world.
Mr Duncan Smith yesterday demanded that the Government does not compromise on immigration controls during the upcoming Brexit negotiations.
And another senior Tory Remainer, Ken Clarke, sarcastically congratulated Mr Davis on “not rushing anything”, adding: “I urge him to take as long as he possibly can”.
However, later, answering questions, Mr Davis did say that Article 50 would not be triggered “until the New Year” – hours after the prime minister declined to confirm that timetable.
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She said it would fail to deliver proper controls, pointing to the “abuses” she saw as Home Secretary, in particular large numbers of non-EU students who did not speak English or have courses to go to. “I’m sure in your youth you were a great seducer but I’m not going to be seduced”.
