New Partnership with the EU

Lord Mackinlay of Richborough Excerpts
Tuesday 17th January 2017

(7 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Davis Portrait Mr Davis
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No. Being left with what the 27 nations want to impose on us is the definition of a bad deal.

Lord Mackinlay of Richborough Portrait Craig Mackinlay (South Thanet) (Con)
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I am sure that the Secretary of State shares my enthusiasm for the clarity in the Prime Minister’s speech today on her vision for a global Britain, and freedom from the customs union and the constraints of single market membership, but how will he impart that same enthusiasm to our EU friends and partners as we approach this future in order that they might realise it is as good for them as it is for us—that it is a positive-sum game?

David Davis Portrait Mr Davis
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That last point is the most persuasive: it is a positive-sum game, and will be to their benefit as well. The EU has had a difficult five years in economic terms, so if anyone has an appetite for more jobs, business and trade, it is the EU, and we are its biggest market.