DAVID DAVIS has hinted Britain would be prepared to walk away from the European Union (EU) without a deal during a speech at the Conservative Party conference.
Speaking on the third day of the Tory conference, the Brexit secretary hailed Britain's decision to leave the EU as a "one off, time limited, extraordinary opportunity".
And hinting at a no-deal prospect, he said: "If the outcome of negotiations falls short of the deal, we will be ready for the alternative.
"That is what a responsible government does. Anything else would be a dereliction of duty."
But David Davis said it was time for Britain to stand on "its own two feet and face outwards to the world," adding Britain would become more "international".
He said: "One of the most powerful arguments I’ve heard for being outside the European Union was simple.
"And it goes like this..What kind of internationalism is it which says that this country must give priority to a Frenchman over an Indian, a German over an Australian, an Italian over a Malaysian?”
"It couldn’t have been further from a Conservative conference, having been said by Barbara Castle in 1975.
"But what she meant, rings true today. Now that we are leaving the European Union, it allows us to be more international, not less."
He added: "It requires us to face the world, not looking away or glancing back, but with confidence and determination about the future we will build.
"An opportunity to make sure that all the decisions about the future of this country are taken by our parliament, our courts, our institutions.
"Decisions about how to spend our taxes, made here in Britain.
"Decisions about who comes into the country, made here in Britain.
"All our laws, made here in Britain.
"We need to get Britain standing on its own two feet , facing outwards to the world."
Mr Davis said Britain was getting ready for "Brexit step by step" as he hailed the nation as continuing to be "good European" citizens.
Of the UK's relationship with Brussels, he said "we will remain good friends and allies".
He told the conference in Manchester: "Europe’s history will continue, and so will ours, and we will remain good friends and allies.
"And for those who claim that we are not good Europeans
"Well, did you know that we spend one and half times as much defence as the European average? That is how we stationed troops on Europe’s border in Estonia and in Poland.
"I call that being a good European.
"We spend over twice the European average helping the poorest people on the planet.
"Including in Africa where for many, British aid acts as a ladder for people to climb out of the hands of people smugglers.
"I call that being a good European.
"And we are the first to help our neighbours in the fight against terror … as both our Belgian and our French colleagues found last year.
"I call that being a good European."
He added: "We are leaving the EU, we are not leaving Europe. We are not giving up on our shared values."
The Brexit official concluded his speech by urging his Tory peers to "believe in our country, keep your eyes on the process, keep your eyes on the prize".