Many have been left somewhere between outraged and dumbfounded on Wednesday morning after Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis revealed that there has been no impact assessment done on Brexit.
The United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union has been underway since June 23, 2016, and many points around the process are still unclear — including its future involvement in the single market and customs union, as well as what will be done about the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Facing questions from his fellow MPs today, Davis admitted that there has been no impact assessment conducted on Brexit.
Labour MP Hillary Benn quizzed Davis in a remarkable exchange that went like this:
“So the government hasn’t undertaken any impact assessment on the implications of leaving the EU for different sectors of the British economy?”
“No.”
“So there isn’t one, for example, on the automotive sector?”
“No.”
“Is there one on aerospace?”
“Not that I’m aware of, no.”
“One on financial services?”
“Well I think the answer is going to be no to all of them.”
At this point, the room broke into bemused laughter. A full video of the exchange can be viewed below.
Brexit comm chair @hilarybennmp: "So the govt hasn't undertaken any impact assessments for the implications on leaving the EU for different sectors of the British economy?" Brexit sec David Davis: No pic.twitter.com/yDnEC1m6WX
— Ian Fraser (@Ian_Fraser) December 6, 2017
.@DavidDavisMP told me "we have a major contingency plan" on #Brexit, while also saying DExEU had not started or completed a sectoral impact assessment for our economy?! #brexitshambles pic.twitter.com/QlKu7IEf8c
— Seema Malhotra MP💙 (@SeemaMalhotra1) December 6, 2017
Needless to say, social media has erupted over these latest developments, with many left shocked and outraged, and some even suggesting that Davis should resign.
David Davis has now told Parliament that the Brexit impact studies 'do not exist' after saying only a few weeks ago that they exist 'in excruciating detail'… pic.twitter.com/TV7XPHaCBE
— Theresa Griffin (@TheresaEurope) December 6, 2017
David Davis' story is circular. The assessments are SO detailed they doesn't exist. pic.twitter.com/KhFmo7b86i
— Philly Byrne (@PhilipNByrne) December 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/alexGspence/status/938354252975570945
In normal circumstances David Davis would have to resign for this Impact Assessments fiasco?
Says studies exist
Refuses to publish them
House votes to publish them
Davis refuses, looks like contempt of house
Then puts 2 binders that aren’t IAs part redacted in a reading room!— Jon Worth (@jonworth) December 6, 2017
David Davis now admits the UK Gov't has done NO impact assessments for implications of Brexit on sectors of the British economy + did NO formal impact assessment of the effect of leaving the EU customs union before the Cabinet took decision to withdraw! Breathtaking incompetence
— Peter Stefanovic (@PeterStefanovi2) December 6, 2017
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