The Government has a plan for post-Brexit Britain which will not only secure a “good deal abroad” but also “a better deal for ordinary working people at home”, Theresa May has said.
The Prime Minister’s promise came as she set out her plans for a “truly global Britain” in a long-awaited speech setting out her objectives for the EU withdrawal talks due to start by the end of March.
Speaking at London’s Lancaster House, Mrs May gave a strong signal that she is ready to take the UK out of the European single market by declaring she does not want an outcome which leaves the UK “half-in, half-out” of the European Union.
Here is everything you need to know…
- The final Brexit deal reached between the UK and EU will be put to a vote of both Houses of Parliament
- Theresa May: We will not have truly left the EU if we are not in control of our laws
- May proposes transitional Brexit deal. Shesays the negotiations with EU partners will be tough but there will have to be “give and take” and compromises will have to be agreed
- May confirms Britain will leave the single market
- No decisions currently taken by devolved powers will be taken away from them
- May says EU nationals will continue to be “welcome” to come to the UK and hopes that this will be reciprocated.
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Mrs May says the UK would regain control of its borders.
“We will get control of the number of people coming to Britain from the EU. Because, while controlled immigration can bring great benefits, filling skill shortages, delivering public services, making British businesses the world beaters they often are, when the numbers get too high, public support in the system falters.”
The PM says Britain would no longer be under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice after Brexit. And Mrs May states she would work to maintain the common travel area with the Republic of Ireland.
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- She says the days of the UK “paying vast sums of money to the EU every day” will soon be over but confirms UK will still make payments.
- May says that she wants to guarantee the rights of EU citizens in the UK if there is a reciprocal deal for UK citizens in Europe – some EU nations accept this and others don’t, she says.
- Common travel area between Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland ‘to be a priority’ during negotiations
- May says cooperation between the EU and the UK is needed not just for trade, but for security. After Brexit Britain wants to be a good friend and neighbour in every way, she says.
- May says punitive deal called for by some European parties would be “an act of calamitous self-harm for the countries of Europe, and it would not be the act of a friend”.
- May ends saying she wants Britain to come together.
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“One of the reasons that Britain’s democracy has been such a success for so many years is that the strength of our identity as one nation, the respect we show to one another as fellow citizens, and the importance we attach to our institutions means that when a vote has been held we all respect the result. The victors have the responsibility to act magnanimously. The losers have the responsibility to respect the legitimacy of the result. And the country comes together.
And that is what we are seeing today. The overwhelming majority of people – however they voted – say we need to get on and make Brexit happen. Business isn’t calling to reverse the result, but planning to make a success of it. And the House of Commons has voted overwhelmingly for us to get on with it too.
So the country is coming together. Now we need to put an end to the division and the language associated with it – Leaver and Remainer and all the accompanying insults – and unite to make a success of Brexit and build a truly Global Britain.”
