Skip to content
Sunday 13 September 2026London --:--Frankfurt --:--Zurich --:--
NewslettersSearchEN · DE · FR
MorningWire

European business, markets and politics

FTSE 100
10,650.44
+0.39%
DAX
25,568.56
+0.82%
CAC 40
8,179.77
+0.78%
STOXX 50
6,325.13
+0.90%
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Politics
  • Opinion
More
GermanyFranceEU InstitutionsCompetitionPublic AffairsBankingTechnologyEnergy
  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • DE
Wednesday 19 September 2018 3:38 pm

David Davis: Theresa May’s Brexit plan is undemocratic

By: Owen Bennett

Add as a preferred source on Google

David Davis is set to brand the government's Brexit plan as "devoid of democracy" in another stinging attack on Theresa May.

The former Brexit secretary will use a speech in Germany tomorrow to lambast the so-called Chequers plan as a "non-starter" – claiming it goes back on promises the Conservatives made in their 2017 General Election manifesto.

Davis quit the government in July in protest at May's negotiating stance, and Morning Wire revealed earlier this month that he is set to unveil an alternative Brexit plan in the upcoming weeks.

Read more: Exclusive: David Davis to head off Chequers with 'Alternative Brexit Plan'

His intervention in Munich will come less than 24 hours after European Council president Donald Tusk called for May's plan to be "reworked" ahead of a crunch summit.

According to the Guardian, Davis is expected to say in his speech: "For me, the Chequers plan was always a non-starter.

"At Lancaster and Mansion House, the Prime Minister promised to return control over our law, our money and our borders. These promises were in our manifesto too. But the Chequers plan crosses on all of those red lines.

"The EU is often correctly described as having a democratic deficit. But Chequers is devoid of democracy altogether."

He will add: "We have been told that the Chequers proposal fulfills what the British people voted for. Well, I am afraid I simply do not buy that.

"Fifty-two per cent of British voters oppose the proposals. Only 18 per cent approve. It is quite remarkable for a government policy to be that unpopular."

Political Leaders Attend The July 2018 EU Council Meeting - Day Two
Donald Tusk has spoken out against Theresa May's plan (Source: Getty)

It was confirmed on Wednesday that an additional summit of EU leaders will be held in November in a bid to get the Brexit talks over the line.

In an interview with the BBC on Wednesday morning, Davis claimed this summit would see the talks "reset" as a stalemate has been reached.

He argued that the sides would eventually agree a trade deal based on the EU's agreement with Canada.

May will address EU leaders at a gathering in Salzburg, Austria, on Wednesday evening as she tries to sell her Chequers plan as a viable Brexit deal.

Share this article

  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email

Similarly tagged content:

Sections

  • News

Categories

  • Business
  • Politics

Trending Articles

  • Wetherspoon boss: ‘Not up to Burnham’ to choose who is on the high street 

  • Primark sales slip as owner dresses up retailer for demerger

  • Badger Beer maker Hall & Woodhouse doubles profit ahead of tie-up with James May

  • Crystal Palace owner Blitzer part of £1bn mega stadium redevelopment

  • Barclays faces legal scrutiny over role in £90m ‘Ponzi scheme within a Ponzi scheme’

More from Morning Wire

  • AT&T-Led Neutral-Host Network Powers New Connectivity Experience at Davis Wade Stadium

    Business Wire
  • Wenger rubbishes Infantino sell-off plan as senior Fifa figures desert president

    Sport Business
    Arsène Wenger, FIFAs Chief of Global Football Development, in a suit and tie, looking serious.
  • Tower of London curbs on skyscrapers ‘will cost City £1.2bn’

    Property
    A replica historic sailing ship with a Spanish flag on the Thames River in front of the Tower of London
  • Musk lawyer Spiro to represent Kushner in World Cup sell-off legal row

    Sport Business
    Man in a suit and tie speaks into a CNBC microphone outside a courthouse with large columns.
  • Burnham calls for honesty then sticks his head in the sand

    Politics
    Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, in a dark suit holding a red folder outside 10 Downing Street
  • Rupert Lowe axes pensions triple lock and pledges tax cuts in economic plan

    Politics
    Rupert Lowe, former Southampton FC chairman, smiles while holding files on a city street, wearing a suit and pink tie
  • Should Burnham dash for an early election?

    Opinion
    Andy Burnham, wearing a dark suit and glasses, speaks outdoors with trees in the background.
  • Thames Water creditors eye board shake-up if takeover plan succeeds

    Water
    Thames Water infrastructure with pipes and maintenance workers, highlighting water management efforts in London
MorningWire

Independent European business, markets and political news for decision-makers.

Morning Briefing

Europe

  • Germany
  • France
  • EU Institutions
  • Europe

Business

  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Competition
  • Public Affairs

Editorial

  • Opinion
  • Editorial Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Company

  • About Morning Wire
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
© 2026 Morning Wire Ltd · Published by Morning Wire Media, Bahnhofstrasse 65, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Privacy · Terms · Cookies · Facebook