The British Prime Minister Theresa May outlined her government’s plan for the Brexit negotiations.
According to her, “Leaving the European Union will mean that our laws will be made in Westminster, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.”
She underlined that “a stronger Britain demands that we do something else – strengthen the precious union between the four nations of the United Kingdom”.
The Prime Minister knows exactly how serious consequences Brexit will have for the country’s foreign relations. “We cannot forget that, as we leave, the United Kingdom will share a land border with the EU, and maintaining that Common Travel Area with the Republic of Ireland will be an important priority for the UK in the talks ahead”, she said.
The immigrations problem, of course, could not be left out of her speech as she added that “we will get control of the number of people coming to Britain from the EU”.
However, May tried to clear out that her dream for the post-Brexit UK is that of cooperation. “I want us to be a truly Global Britain – the best friend and neighbour to our European partners, but a country that reaches beyond the borders of Europe too. A country that gets out into the world to build relationships with old friends and new allies alike”.
The main points of the Prime Minister’s speech are:
– “We are a European country – and proud of our shared European heritage – but we are also a country that has always looked beyond Europe to the wider world.”
– “We want to guarantee the rights of EU citizens who are already living in Britain, and the rights of British nationals in other member states, as early as we can.”
– “Under my leadership, not only will the Government protect the rights of workers’ set out in European legislation, we will build on them. Because under this Conservative Government, we will make sure legal protection for workers keeps pace with the changing labour market – and that the voices of workers are heard by the boards of publicly-listed companies for the first time.”
– “As a priority, we will pursue a bold and ambitious Free Trade Agreement with the European Union. This agreement should allow for the freest possible trade in goods and services between Britain and the EU’s member states.”
– “It is time for Britain to get out into the world and rediscover its role as a great, global, trading nation.”
– “We will also welcome agreement to continue to collaborate with our European partners on major science, research, and technology initiatives.”
– “We will continue to work closely with our European allies in foreign and defence policy even as we leave the EU itself.”
– “Our objective is a phased approach, delivering a smooth and orderly Brexit. This is the framework of a deal that will herald a new partnership between the UK and the EU”.
