David Davis made attempts to reassure business leaders that despite leaving the EU, Brexit “will not change the kind of country Britain is”.
The UK Brexit secretary tried to make clear that the future regulations will largely stay aligned with EU rules due to the UK’s agreement and support of the EU.
“Brexit will inevitably mean a change in the way British, Austrian and other European Union companies do business,” he said.
“It has to, if we are to make good on the referendum result, and carve a path for Britain to strike its own trade deals, have its own immigration policy and make our courts sovereign once more.
“But my message to you, in this room, is that these goals will not change the kind of country Britain is. A dynamic and open country … One leading a race to the top in global standards.”
Speaking in Vienna, Davis was keen to assure European business leaders that the UK would still commit to meeting standards and regulations, saying the UK will “continue our track record of meeting high standards” following Brexit.
The Brexit secretary went onto to say that when the UK has left the EU, it will continue on a successful path and will not be “an Anglo-Saxon race to the bottom.”
“With Britain plunged into a Mad Max-style world borrowed from dystopian fiction. These fears about a race to the bottom are based on nothing, not our history, not our intentions, not our national interest.
“But while I profoundly disagree with those who spread these fears — it does remind us all that we must provide reassurance.”
While attempting to provide hope among Brexit sceptics, many did not find Davis’s speech to be of much use.
“”If the best this Government can do is promise Britain will not turn into a ‘Mad Max’ nightmare – it’s no wonder people are worried about their post-Brexit lives,” said general secretary of the GMB union, Tim Roache.