May has set out 12 objectives to follow to ‘build a truly global Britain’, saying that the UK cannot remain within the European single market as staying in it result in ‘not leaving the EU at all’. Instead she wants to ensure a ‘big free trade deal’ with Europe, despite admitting that she has not yet worked out how the UK will achieve this.
During her long-awaited speech, May revealed that government will put the final Brexit deal down to a vote in Parliament, despite previously fighting this decision.
May’s 12 objectives are as follows:
Certainty
May expressed that she recognised how important certainty was, moving forward through the process, for businesses, the public sector and everyone else in the UK.
Control of laws
There will be an end to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice and UK laws will be controlled and decided by government. Laws will be interpreted in courts in the UK not in Luxembourg, which is the case now.
Securing the union
May stressed the importance of union but the UK government must take back responsibility and will have control over foreign affairs. She mentioned taking into consideration Scotland’s Brexit plans.
Maintain common travel area with Ireland
The UK has always had a special relationship with Ireland and it is important that the UK works to retain the border.
Immigration control
May said: ‘We will have control of the number of people coming to Britain from the EU.
‘Controlled immigration can bring benefits to businesses but when the numbers get too high then public support for the system falters.’
Rights of EU nationals
The rights of EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in Europe must be established and resolved as soon as possible.
Workers’ rights
Workers’ rights currently under EU law will be kept and built upon.
Global Britain
May said: ‘ 23 June was the moment that we chose to build a truly global Britain – the result of the referendum was not a decision to turn inward and retreat from the world.’
The UK will still reach out the allies across the globe and will continue to build relationships.
Leave the single market
If the UK is not part of the single market then it does not have to make any contributions to the EU. May wants to have a customs union agreement with the EU.
Science
The UK should aim to stay one of the leaders of science and innovative advances.
Terrorism
The UK will continue to work with Europe on defence and foreign policy saying the response cannot be ‘to cooperate less but to cooperate more’. Intelligence and information will continue to be shared in order to beat terrorism and ‘threats to common security’.
Transitional phase
There will be a phased implementation of Brexit to allow businesses time to plan and prepare.
In her speech May said: ‘ I want Britain to be a country that reaches beyond the borders of Europe’, while stating, ‘we are leaving the European Union, we are not leaving Europe.’
As a result of May’s speech the pound recovered from $1.20 on Monday to become $1.21 against the dollar at the time of reporting.