‘More empty platitudes!’ Labour MP Emily Thornberry slams David Davis’ Brexit strategy

The UK government is coming under growing domestic pressure to explain its Brexit strategy, with MPs of all parties and former cabinet secretary Lord O’Donnell calling on the prime minister and David Davis, the new secretary of state for exiting the EU, to explain their key goals for a post-EU Britain.

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”.

He said the referendum had delivered an “overwhelming mandate” and that there would be no attempt to “delay, frustrate or thwart” the result.

“I think what we need to be doing is making sure that we can get the best possible deal for the United Kingdom when we leave the EU”.

The PM said voters wanted “control” over Britain’s borders and insisted there were “various ways” the Government could make that happen.

Theresa May was accused of “backsliding” on immigration controls yesterday after ruling out a points-based system for European Union migrants. In Australia, they have a points-based system and they have higher immigration per capita than Britain.

“I expect to be able to guarantee their status, I want to be able to guarantee their status. Given that myself and others also campaigned for a migration system that would treat all who wanted to come equally, any preference for European Union nationals would be totally unacceptable”, he said.

A points-based system of immigration applying to migrants from across the world was first suggested by Ukip and quickly championed by the Leave campaign spearheaded by May’s Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson.

Ms May has made clear that she will not invoke article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which starts two years of exit negotiations, until next year.

“It’s right and proper that I, as Prime Minister, say I must have consideration for British citizens who are living in the rest of the EU”.

Shadow Brexit secretary Emily Thornberry told Mr Davis: “The spin before today’s statement was so much promise”.

David Lammy, a Labour lawmaker, said during the debate that the meaning of Brexit was unclear as were what the terms would be for Britain to have access to the European single market.

“They are companies responsible to their stakeholders and their duty is to produce profit”.

The Brexit Secretary told MPs it was “very improbable” that Britain would remain a member of the single market if it faced making concessions on border controls.

Carlo Calenda, an Italian economic development minister, told Bloomberg: “We can not waste two years by negotiating with the United Kingdom how to maintain them inside without them wanting to be inside”.