British PM lays out broad Brexit plan

SBS World News Radio: Britain's Prime Minister has finally offered some detail on the plan for Brexit.

British PM lays out broad Brexit planBritish PM lays out broad Brexit plan

British PM lays out broad Brexit plan

More than six months after Britain voted to leave the European Union, British Prime Minister Theresa May has revealed how she hopes to implement it.

In her 12-point plan, she confirms the UK will leave the EU's single market and instead, look to establish a free trade agreement with the bloc.

"This agreement should allow for the freest possible trade in goods and services between Britain and the EU's member states. It should give British companies the maximum freedom to trade with and operate in European markets and let European businesses do the same in Britain. But I want to be clear, what I am proposing cannot mean membership of the single market."

Theresa May also wants a new deal on customs which would open up trade agreements with non-EU nations.

As well as Britain's economic plans, Ms May addressed immigration.

"Britain is an open and tolerant country. We will always want immigration, especially high-skilled immigration. We will always want immigration from Europe and we will always welcome individual migrants as friends. But the message from the public before and during the referendum campaign was clear: Brexit must mean control of the number of people who come to Britain from Europe and that is what we will deliver."

Roughly 3.2 million EU citizens live and work in Britain, and 1.2 million Britons are in EU countries.

Ms May says the UK wants to guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in Britain - and British nationals living in the EU.

Applauding her speech, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said he's confident the EU will accept the deal.

"We believe very strongly that this is in our mutual interest. We're not leaving Europe, we're disentangling ourselves from the treaties of the EU. But we can remain powerfully committed to Europe with a new European partnership of the kind she described whilst also going forward with an identity as global Britain."

Opposition Labour Party Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, is less optimistic.

"She has said 'leave the single market' then at the same time says she wants to have access to the single market. I'm not quite sure how that's going to go down in Europe. I think we have to have a deal that ensures we have access to the market. We have British jobs dependent on that market, that's what we'll be pushing for. Whether it's specifically this form of single market I don't know. She seems to be wanting to *have her cake and eat it."

Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, slammed the plans, suggesting Scotland - which voted to remain in the EU - may hold another independence vote.

"If that's the path that the Tory government is offering to Scotland, out of not just the EU, but the single market - with workers' rights and all those protections on the line, fundamental changes to the type of country that we are going to be - I don't think it's right that should happen without the Scottish people having the ability to choose whether that's what they want or whether they want to choose a different option, an independent future."

European Commission President Donald Tusk responded on Twitter, saying it's a "Sad process, surrealistic times but at least (a) more realistic announcement on Brexit."

By the end of Ms May's speech the British pound surged, but there is concern in markets abroad.

Market analyst at Baader Bank in Germany, Robert Halver, expects the UK will seek to make the country more attractive to investors.

"They want to survive somehow. So what options do they have if access to the EU's internal market is blocked? They'll say 'we will lower corporate tax massively and labour costs'. That would lead to an ongoing competition with Germany. And we must not forget that she has an ally now, Donald Trump, who wants to reach a very exclusive trade deal with her. That could give the Brits several advantages."

But the deal is far from done.

Since the referendum, some EU member states have warned the UK won't be able to choose just the benefits without the responsibilities.

Some also suggest the Brexit process should deter other EU nations from leaving the bloc.

In response, Theresa May had this caution.

"Yet I know there are some voices calling for a punitive deal, that punishes Britain and discourages other countries from taking the same path. That would be an act of calamitous self-harm for the countries of Europe and it would not be the act of a friend. Britain would not, indeed we could not, accept such an approach."

Ms May said Britain's parliament will be able to vote on the final deal with the EU, likely to come into effect in 2019.

 






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