UK will be ready for 'alternative' if Brexit talks fail, David Davis says
Brexit secretary David Davis told the Conservative party conference the government will be prepared for a scenario where no deal is reached with the European Union before Britain leaves in 2019.
Discussions between the UK and the EU have stalled in recent months as the sides struggle to agree on key issues such as the financial settlement to be paid to the bloc as a result of the departure.
Davis said that the UK would continue to be "good Europeans" after Brexit, despite no longer being a part of the political mechanism associated with the content.
"If the outcome of negotiations falls short of the deal, we will be ready for the alternative,” Davis told the conference in Manchester.
"That is what a responsible government does. Anything else would be a dereliction of duty."
He described Brexit as a "great opportunity", and that it would allow the UK to become more international, rather than isolated from the rest of the world.
"If the outcome of negotiations falls short of the deal, we will be ready for the alternative” David Davis
"It requires us to face the world, not looking away or glancing back, but with confidence and determination about the future we will build.
"An opportunity to make sure that all the decisions about the future of this country are taken by our parliament, our courts, our institutions.”
Foreign secretary Boris Johnson will speak at the annual conference later on Tuesday, having caused several rumblings within the party in recent weeks in relation to his loyalty to PM Theresa May.
In response to Davis’ comments, the Confederation of British Industry welcomed the change of tone from the government since May’s speech in Florence last month but was not content with the prospect of failing to reach a final deal.
“The need to agree transition and move to discussions on the final deal is critical,” said CBI deputy director-general Josh Hardie.
“There is no time to waste: the impact on investment and jobs across the UK and Europe grows day by day. Both sides must show leadership and determination to make sufficient progress on the issues of citizens’ rights, the exit bill and Northern Ireland to move the process on.”