Brexit and Foreign Affairs

Debate between David Davis and Charlie Elphicke

Monday 26th June 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davis]

The question that was put to me was whether I was 100% sure. The first thing that one ought to learn in this business is to be honest about such matters. I do not think that saying at the beginning of a negotiation that one is 100% sure of exactly what the outcome will be would give confidence to anyone. It certainly would not give confidence to me, even if it was said by the hon. Gentleman.

[Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con)]

Will my right hon. Friend give way?

[Mr Davis]

One more time, but then I must make some progress.

[Charlie Elphicke]

The whole point of a negotiation is that one must be prepared and ready not to do a deal, because one can then ensure that one has strength in the negotiations. To that extent, does my right hon. Friend agree that it is important for us to be ready to “do customs” at places such as my constituency of Dover, deal or no deal?