MP Charlie Elphicke met Brexit minister Steve Baker to help ensure Britain is ready for life outside the EU.

The Dover and Deal MP and other Conservative colleagues met Mr Baker to raise concerns about preparations at Britain’s ports.

They want to make sure the UK’s ports are ready to thrive once Britain finally leaves the European Union in March 2019.

The MPs, including members of the pro-Brexit Conservative body the European Research Group (ERG), stressed the importance of protecting port-related jobs and preventing long queues of lorries.

The meeting came after Amyascorr Morse, controller general of the National Audit Office, raised concerns about the post-Brexit IT system for recording declarations on imports and exports.

After the meeting Mr Elphicke, also an ERG member, said: “As we prepare to leave the European Union we need to make sure that we are in the best position possible to succeed and prosper in the world.

“A vital part of these preparations must be ensuring that our ports are ready on day one.
“We all agree it is vital that Brexit is a success at our ports up and down the land – particularly at the Dover frontline.

“Of course, we hope that a trade deal will be done with the EU that will enable tariff-free trade to continue. Yet if on day one no trade deal has been agreed, we must be fully prepared.

“Gridlock at out ports will mean gridlock for the UK economy. Yet with proper planning we can not only be ready – we can make Brexit a real success.

“Together we can build a new Britain that is a great, global trading nation.”

Mr Baker commented: “The preparedness of our borders for success on day one of exit under all scenarios is a clear priority for the government.

“Colleagues representing ports are doing a fine job of representing their constituents’ concerns together with potential solutions.

“We will consider these alongside our current, well-developed plans.”