Britain's Davis Vows No Post-Brexit 'dystopia'
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published February 20, 2018 | 06:59 PM
Britain will not engage in "Mad Max-style" deregulation and easing of workers' rights and environmental standards once it leaves the European Union, the country's Brexit secretary said Tuesday.
Vienna, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Feb, 2018 ) :Britain will not engage in "Mad Max-style" deregulation and easing of workers' rights and environmental standards once it leaves the European Union, the country's Brexit secretary said Tuesday.
"We will continue our track record of meeting high standards after we leave the European Union," David Davis said in a keenly awaited speech in Vienna, and not a "an Anglo-Saxon race to the bottom".
Davis told business leaders in Austria, which will hold the EU presidency from July, that fears that Britain will plunge into a "Mad Max-style world borrowed from dystopian fiction" were misplaced.
He said that instead of loosening rules in order to gain a competitive advantage after Britain's scheduled departure in March 2019, it will engage in a "race to the top" in standards. This, Davis said, will also provide the trust needed between London and the EU to ensure that there can be "mutual recognition" of each other's regulations and institutions.
"This will be a crucial part of ensuring our future economic partnership is as open, and trade remains as frictionless as possible," Davis said. But Davis's speech, the latest in a series ahead of crucial talks with Brussels on the future trading relationship due to start from April, was immediately criticised.
Opposition lawmaker Chuka Umunna said in a statement issued by pro-EU campaign group Open Britain that some of Davis's fellow ministers do want a slipping of standards. Last week British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said it would be "absurd" if Britain left the bloc but did not "take advantage of the economic freedom it will bring".
"The best way to protect and enhance the high standards that exist in this country is to stay in the Single Market and the Customs Union", which British Prime Minister Theresa May has said Britain will leave, Umunna said.
Britain voted in a June 2016 referendum to leave the EU and is due to do so on March 29, 2019. Following an interim deal in December on issues including how much money Britain will have to pay, talks have now moved onto a transition period to help prepare for the split.
Once these wrap up -- chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier has spoken of "substantial" disagreements -- negotiations can then begin on Britain's future relationship with the bloc.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Sub-cabinet committee reviews law, order in Punjab
Notification of confirmed police officers issued
Open courts part of struggle against corruption: ACE DG
Resolving citizens’ complaints top priority of Federal Ombudsman: IO
Government, lender banks conclude PIA’s commercial debt negotiations
Man gets 14 years imprisonment in drugs case
Punjab police accelerate crackdown on drug peddlers
DC reviews meeting, takes action against token tax violations, traffic rules
44 arrested for kite flying in 24 hours
Boao forum for Asia 2024 concludes on successful note
Turkey's Erdogan to hold White House talks with Biden in May
Rana Mashhood appointed chairman PM's Youth Programme
More Stories From World
-
Boao forum for Asia 2024 concludes on successful note
53 minutes ago -
Turkey's Erdogan to hold White House talks with Biden in May
53 minutes ago -
China special team carries out emergency response work with Chinese Embassy in Pakistan: Lin Jian
2 hours ago -
Disinformation targeting Brigitte Macron spreads beyond France
2 hours ago -
Polish president vetoes move to restore access to emergency contraception
3 hours ago -
Turkey's Erdogan braces for tete-a-tete with Biden in May
3 hours ago
-
Ukraine warns power supply under threat amid deadly Russian attacks
3 hours ago -
Leaders Madrid face Athletic in final run towards Liga title
3 hours ago -
Impact of Baltimore port closure on global supply chains
3 hours ago -
Clean energy expo China concluded, showing global green efforts
3 hours ago -
World court orders Israel ensure urgent aid for war-ravaged Gaza
3 hours ago -
Press Release from Business Wire: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority PJSC
3 hours ago