UK’s Prime Minister Theresa May promised to push for the “freest possible trade” with European countries as part of the forthcoming Brexit. She also warned the EU that to try to “punish” the UK would be “an act of calamitous self-harm”. She stated quite firmly “But I want to be clear: what I am proposing cannot mean membership of the single market.”
It was not a surprise that Parliament will vote on the final agreement. Labour warned of “enormous dangers” in the prime minister’s plans.
Theresa May used her much-anticipated speech to announce her priorities for Brexit negotiations, including maintaining the common travel area between the UK and Irish Republic and “control” of migration between the UK and the EU.
She went on to say she will not “undermine” the EU or the single market, but she warned against a “punitive” reaction to Brexit, as it would bring “calamitous self-harm for the countries of Europe and it would not be the act of a friend”.
Negotiations will begin after notice under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty is served by the end of March. The European Parliament’s lead negotiator responded by saying there could be no “cherry-picking” by the UK in the talks.
Mr May was very clear towards the end of her speech about the deal that would be constructed, she said: “I am equally clear that no deal for Britain is better than a bad deal for Britain.”
