Dominic Raab

Britain is in a very strong position to negotiate – and also buoyant enough to weather a ‘no deal’ exit

Today, Britain begins negotiations to leave the EU. We start with economic self-confidence and political ambition. But the first year will be hard going. The EU didn’t want us to leave, and Brussels has other things on its mind. To give ourselves the strongest chance of the best deal, we need to be patient, constructive and big-hearted – without blinking.

The UK’s negotiating position is bolstered by economic good news. This month, a survey by the Confederation of British Industry found confidence amongst manufacturing businesses at a 20 year high. As for the predicted exodus of bankers, Deutsche Bank recently announced its new London headquarters. On the 2017 Global Financial Centres Index, published this week, London retained its top ranking. Our closest EU competitors, Luxembourg and Frankfurt, have fallen to 18th and 23rd place, as Paris battled with Casablanca for 29th spot.

That economic resilience is bolstered by Mrs May’s optimistic political vision. We want post-Brexit Britain to be a selfgoverning democracy, a good European friend, and a global leader in free trade. We will aim for the best deal with the EU, while preparing for all outcomes.

I appreciate some will be anxious during the process. By definition, negotiations involve uncertainty. But, outside the Westminster village, polls show the public strongly support this vision. A recent National Centre for Social Research study found 88 per cent of people support our free-trade strategy, while 68 per cent want to end open-door immigration – including 58 per cent of Remain voters.

And yes, of course we’d rather strike a deal on trade, security and other cooperation. But we’ll be ready if the EU doesn’t want one. We can mitigate the risks through a careful allocation of the net £13 billion we get back from Brussels, along with the estimated £8 billion in net tariff revenue if Brussels erects the EU’s external tariff. Trade Secretary Liam Fox is also paving the way for a network of global free trade deals to boost UK exports and cut prices at home for consumers.

Brexit also offers huge opportunities to take back control of our laws. The Great Repeal Bill will transfer EU regulations into UK law, giving us the time to carefully consider and repeal, replace or retain EU rules according to one criterion – the UK national interest. I back this newspaper’s campaign to cut EU red tape, which hits small businesses hardest. One of the special features of our economy is that small firms created 85 per cent of the new jobs in recent years. We can stimulate enterprise in this way without diluting workers’ rights.

Our farmers can benefit, too, while cutting food bills hiked by EU rules. Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom is already targeting the bureaucratic “three-crop rule” and requirements to advertise the EU on billboards across the countryside. As for security, we can apply the robust preventative border checks we have for non-European countries, which EU law currently prohibits.

These are just three illustrations. There is enormous scope for a wider UK democratic renaissance – strengthening the accountability exercised by British voters over their lawmakers. None of that requires permission from Brussels; we will be doing it irrespective of the outcome of Brexit negotiations. But it will also help cushion the risk of “no deal”. Demonstrating resolve at home will shore up our negotiating position on the continent. The best way to blunt any protectionist threats that might come from Brussels will be to sharpen our competitive edge at home and expand our free trade network abroad.

Still, how can we maximise our prospects of securing the best deal for both sides? First, look at it from the EU’s perspective. It faces huge challenges. The eurozone crisis festers; Greece’s youth unemployment is at 45 per cent TELEGRAPH CAMPAIGN

CUT EU RED TAPE

while its economy contracted by 1.2 per cent last quarter. The IMF and the EU are haggling over austerity conditions for another bailout; capital flight from Greek banks gathers pace, leading Bavarian Finance Minister Markus Söder to suggest Greece will quit the eurozone. Even that is overshadowed by the banking crisis in Italy, which threatens the stability of the euro.

All this heaps political strain on Europe’s already pressed leaders. The Germans go to the polls in September after French presidential elections in May, where National Front leader Marine Le Pen threatens an upset. For many in Brussels, Brexit is a regrettable distraction from these existential challenges. We need to respect that, and support them – not wallow in schadenfreude. Secondly, we must accentuate the positive and aim for a win-win. JeanClaude Juncker’s reform proposals for a multi-speed EU suggest a willingness in Brussels to entertain greater flexibility, while Michel Barnier says he wants an ambitious free-trade agreement with the UK. Beyond Brussels, the mood music in capitals is warming towards a positive deal. A recent report commissioned by the Dutch Parliament candidly recognised: “Any restriction on free trade with Britain would inevitably be at the cost of Dutch exports, prosperity and employment.” No one wants that.

Thirdly, we need to make a generous offer to our EU friends. The Commission takes a legalistic approach. Britain is leaving. We will be treated as a non-EU state. So let’s embrace that paradigm, not least because it fits our global outlook. No other region or country gives up control of its democracy, pays a fee, or offers open-door immigration as the price for engaging in the win-win of free trade – not with each other nor the EU.

As an independent nation, Britain can offer the EU the best trade deal, the most effective counter-terrorism cooperation, the strongest military commitment, and the most flexible immigration arrangements that any independent country has ever offered it before or is likely to in the future. If there’s no deal within two years, it won’t be for lack of an ambitious UK offer. It would represent the triumph of the EU’s rather inward-looking politics over the reality of the outside world. That would be a shame, but only serve to vindicate Britain’s decision to leave.

So brace yourselves. Brexit negotiations will be a roller-coaster. But like any roller-coaster, your worst fears evaporate once you step off.