While Corbyn and his cronies have taken the summer off, the Government has been busy paving the way for Brexit
Whether you voted Leave or Remain, the negotiations are vital for the future of every UK citizen... which is why Theresa May and the Tories are flying round the world in search of trade deals
WHEN I arrived back from the negotiations in Brussels this week, something important hit me.
A businessman walked off the plane and, as he passed, said: “Get a good deal for us, Mr Davis”.
His friendly remark revealed an important truth: that “us” means everyone.
Whether you voted Leave or Remain, the negotiations are vital for the future of every citizen and business in the United Kingdom.
And working on that good deal is exactly what we have been doing. While Labour have taken the summer off, the Government has been pushing on with the work of delivering on the result of the referendum.
People wanted more clarity about our positions on a range of issues from the way business trades across borders after we leave, to the way data is shared and how the relationship between Ireland and Northern Ireland will work.
So the papers we have published, lengthy but well thought through, have provided that.
They have set out the path to a comprehensive partnership with the EU and there will be more in the coming weeks.
But we have also looked to opportunities beyond the EU. On what the great prizes from Brexit could be. The most important of those is trade.
So this summer, ministers have headed to the airports with presentations and smart shoes rather than paperbacks and sunglasses.
Liam Fox has been to America, the Prime Minister has been to Japan, and a raft of Cabinet colleagues have travelled across the globe from Bogota to New Zealand. All carrying the message that Brexit Britain is ready to trade with old friends and new.
I was in Washington last week and the message was clear. The rest of the world values our commitment to being good global citizens, admires the strength of our economy and wants to see us succeed.
The prospect of new international trade partnerships means jobs at home and a bold role abroad. It’s a future that will benefit consumers and workers across the country.
But that success depends on getting the right deal in the negotiations with Brussels.
Our plan is clear. We are working for a special partnership which is in the interests of the UK, the European Union and the world. Because UK prosperity will happen alongside economic growth in Europe, not instead of it.
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Last week also saw the third round of negotiations. The difference in our approach to issues like the financial settlement is real enough. The exchanges may have been noisy. But some important progress was hammered out.
For example, on the rights of UK citizens living in Europe and EU citizens living here.
We made progress towards ensuring professional qualifications will still be recognised, and agreed that our exit deal would guarantee the continued use of the European Health Insurance Card by citizens abroad.
On the areas we disagree, we understood each other’s positions and can prepare for the next round of negotiations in September. It’s a solid basis for meaningful progress.
But the crunch point comes in the week ahead, in Westminster rather than Brussels. Our hard work for the negotiations abroad is matched by the preparation we are doing for the UK to adjust to Brexit.
This is especially true of the Repeal Bill, which goes before MPs this week. The bill is crucial. It delivers the result of the referendum by ending the direct role of the EU in UK law, and gives British lawmakers control for the future.
But it is also the single most important step we can take to prevent a cliff-edge for people and businesses because it transfers laws and provides legal continuity.
Yet Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party are threatening to delay and defeat this essential piece of legislation.
Their only motivation is the pursuit of chaos. The uncertainty our exit from the EU would cause without legal continuity is only matched by the instability of Labour’s position on Brexit.
In the 14 months since Britain voted to leave the EU, Labour have put forward ten different Brexit plans. The latest wheeze is to kick the can down the road by staying in the EU for many more years.
On Friday Labour’s Deputy Leader admitted they would happily keep the UK in the single market and customs union indefinitely. But staying in the single market means accepting unlimited free movement of people indefinitely and obeying rules and regulations over which we will never have a say.
Under Labour, we would not be taking back control of our borders or laws. Labour cannot agree what Britain’s new relationship with the EU should look like.
They have no plan for the UK after we exit, so they focus on transition. We know the kind of Britain we are trying to build. And we have already started delivering it.
It’s a Britain that fulfils its historic role on the world stage. A beacon for free trade. A defender of democracy.
So next week the eyes of the country will be on Parliament. We will be judged on our willingness to work to deliver the verdict people gave in last year’s referendum.
For my part, I will work with anyone, of any party, to make it happen.