Monmouth MP David Davies was the guest speaker at the latest meeting of the City of Newport Business Club.

The often-controversial Conservative MP for Monmouth, who is also the chairman of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, talked about life as an MP to Gwent businesses gathered at the Celtic Manor Resort.

Mr Davies, who was the National Assembly member for Monmouth before being elected to the House of Commons in 2010, debunked many notions about MPs during his speech, claiming it was incorrect that they spend all their time ‘in bars and claiming expenses’.

A former pupil of Bassaleg School in Newport, Mr Davies explained how he had to use his middle initials ‘TC’ in the House of Commons to avoid confusion with the Brexit secretary David Davis. This led to the Labour benches breaking into the theme tune from the TV cartoon ‘Top Cat’ when he was first called to speak at Prime Minister’s Question Time.

A vocal critic of the European Union, Mr Davies was questioned by the audience about his views on the progress of the Brexit deal.

He said: “The government will have to compromise to get a deal through the Commons, because it has to get all the factions within the Conservatives and the DUP to agree.

“I think there will be a consensus but the bickering will go on to the end.

“If I was a betting man, I would say we will end up with a customs partnership.”

Mr Davies said the relationship between Cardiff and Westminster was ‘not easy’.

“Both want the other to pay for things they also want to claim credit for,” he said

“AMs are very unwilling to appear before Westminster select committees. They need to work together more constructively.”

For more information about the business club visit www.newportbusinessclub.co.uk.