Theresa May has confirmed that Britain will fully leave the European market in a bid to take back control of migration.
But the prime minister promised to push for the “freest possible trade” with European countries and to sign new deals with others around the world.
Since the referendum in June she and her ministers have refused to be so explicit. Some Remainers have argued that she ought to try to keep us in the vast partnership, the risks to the economy are too vast, and while it might be complicated to achieve, the prize is simply too great to give up.
Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, May also announced that Parliament would get to vote on the final deal agreed between the UK and the EU.
But Labour warned of “enormous dangers” in the prime minister’s plans.
May used her much-anticipated speech to announce the UK’s priorities for Brexit negotiations, including:
- Maintaining the common travel area between the UK and Irish Republic;
- Tariff-free trade with the EU;
- A customs agreement with the EU;
- New trade agreements with countries outside the EU;
- Continued “practical” sharing of intelligence and policing information;
- “Control” of immigration rights for EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in the EU;
- A “phased approach”.
Theresa May: plans (Wikipedia)
May said there would not be a “blow-by-blow” account of negotiations, set to get under way after Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty is invoked by the end of March.
It was not her intention to “undermine” the EU or the single market, she added, 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”.
She added: “I am equally clear that no deal for Britain is better than a bad deal for Britain.”
RIBA president Jane Duncan said: “I welcome the prime minister setting out further details on the UK’s relationship with the EU. After the referendum vote, we outlined a number of key priorities to allow for the continued success of our industry.
“This included ensuring that the UK could access the best global talent and fill skills gaps, allowing a continuation of vital UK/EU partnership work in research and innovation, and recognising the need to further devolve powers to support a better built environment across the UK. I’m pleased to see the government recognise how vital such measures are to UK success.
“However, continued uncertainty over the status of EU citizens currently living and working in the UK, and of UK citizens living and working in the EU is casting a long shadow over the architecture sector. Around one quarter of ARB registered architects are EU citizens, and they make a substantial contribution to our vital industry.
Brexit timeline
- January 2017: Supreme Court delivers ruling on whether Theresa May has the power to trigger Article 50 using a royal prerogative, rather than by an Act of Parliament
- March 31, 2017: Deadline May has set for invoking Article 50 by notifying the European Council of Britain’s intention to leave the EU
- September 30, 2018: Date by which EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, wants to wrap up terms of Britain’s exit from the Union
- March 31, 2019: Date by which Theresa May wants to wrap up negotiations over Brexit
- May 2019? Britain formally exits the EU, following ratification of Brexit by all other member states
“Our government and governments across the EU must act swiftly to resolve this issue. Stability for the economy must continue to be the government’s top priority over the coming months and years.
“The detail of the UK’s new trading relationships with the EU and with partners across the world is what will drive the success of our sector. I urge this government to continue its dialogue with industry so that we can secure the best deal for all.”
Chris Ireland, CEO of property services company JLL UK, said: “It is to be welcomed that we are finally hearing more detail about the prime minister’s vision for the UK outside of the EU. In outlining that she will be looking for a short-term transitional deal she is showing that she understands that UK plc needs certainty.
“This will remove the threat of a ‘cliff edge’ in which business has to adapt overnight to new customs and regulatory arrangements. Of course, achieving this will depend on a hefty amount of diplomacy to ensure goodwill and mutual respect between politicians in the UK and the EU.
“Seeking tariff-free trade and a customs agreement with the EU are quite rightly priorities in negotiation. While we recognise the huge opportunities for growing trade around the world, we must also accept that the Eurozone will remain our major trading partner for the foreseeable future. We also have to ensure that Britain remains open to talent and that seeking immigration controls does not jeopardise our economic growth.”
Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI director-general, added: “Ruling out membership of the single market has reduced options for maintaining a barrier-free trading relationship between the UK and the EU. But businesses will welcome the greater clarity and the ambition to create a more prosperous, open and global Britain, with the freest possible trade between the UK and the EU.
“The pressure is now on to deliver these objectives and achieve a smooth and orderly exit.”
Elena Schweitzer/Dreamstime.com
