LET’S GET ON WITH IT! MY BREXIT WAR CRY

As I head to Brussels today for more Brexit talks, I have the words of many Mail readers ringing in my ears: ‘Let’s get on with it.’ It has been more than two years since the referendum, and I know many people want us to get on and deliver on the verdict of the British people. Taking back control of our money, our law, our borders – and our country’s future.

We are well on the way to delivering exactly that. As the new Brexit secretary, I am relishing the challenge. Our White Paper, published this month, spells out our vision in more detail and I will be in Brussels today for further negotiations with Michel Barnier.

Our plan sets out a principled and pragmatic Brexit. One that sees us outside of the political institutions in Brussels that so many of us campaigned to leave.

Not only do we have a plan, we are delivering it. In Parliament, above all the din, we are getting the legislation in place to deliver Brexit.

The EU (Withdrawal) Act passed last month will mean we take back control over our laws and guarantee a smooth legal transition for businesses and citizens.

Last week our Customs Bill, which gives us the power to make trade deals with the EU and the rest of the world, passed the House of Commons.

In the negotiations with the EU, 80 per cent of the withdrawal agreement has been agreed. Mr Barnier and I will be discussing how we complete the remaining 20 per cent, including guarantees to avoid a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The UK plan would establish a new free trade area for goods with Europe, ensuring our manufacturers, our small businesses, and the people they employ, continue frictionless trade with the remaining EU countries.

I was at one such manufacturer, a family business run by Tom Hainsworth, on Monday. They helped make the uniforms for the Battle of Waterloo. It’s a firm with a rich history, and under our proposals, a bright future.

At the same time as securing our trade with the EU, our plan also allows us to go out and strike global trade deals with old friends and new partners around the world – bringing jobs to the UK and providing cheaper goods for our consumers.

On security, we are focused on maintain the operational capabilities that keep our people safe across Europe. That means the UK participating in key crimefighting agencies, such as Europol, and sharing vital information that helps keep dangerous people off our streets.

We have a plan with ambition, the energy to deliver and we are working hard to resolve the outstanding issues with our EU friends. I trust that ambition, energy and pragmatism will be reciprocated.

Of course, there is no deal unless we agree the whole deal – it must work for the UK and the EU.

We are striving for the best deal. But in case our ambition and energy are not matched, we are stepping up our preparation for no deal.

We are hiring up to 1,000 more Border Force staff to police our border. starting this summer, we will publish dozens of notices to industry and consumers on the steps we would need to take if we do not agree a deal, to avoid disruption to transport, trade and supply chains.

Leaving the EU with no deal is not what we want. A good deal would be better for the UK and the EU.

But while there are a few who might wallow in pessimism or have us cower in a corner at this historic crossroads, I am confident Britain’s best days lie ahead.

That is because I am stubbornly optimistic about our country, and I am confident in our people. In the coming months, we will rise to this challenge and galvanise our resolve.

With ambition, hard work, and energy – on all sides – we can strike the right deal for the UK. Come what may, we will be ready for Brexit.