In a long-awaited speech, British Prime Minister Theresa May has announced in no uncertain terms that the final Brexit deal with the EU will mean the UK leaving the European single market.
She said the UK “cannot possibly” remain within the European single market, as staying in it would mean “not leaving the EU at all”. But May promised to push for the “greatest possible” access to the single market following Brexit.
Outlining the Government's plans on leaving the EU at Lancaster House in London, May said both Houses of Parliament will vote on the final deal.
But she did not make it clear whether a vote against the agreement would result in the UK remaining within the EU, or leaving the block without any kind of deal.
The PM said the plans “cannot mean membership of the single market”.
May said: “Being out of the EU but a member of the single market would mean complying with the EU's rules and regulations that implement those freedoms, without having a vote on what those rules and regulations are. It would mean accepting a role for the European Court of Justice that would see it still having direct legal authority in our country. It would to all intents and purposes mean not leaving the EU at all.”
The PM promised an end to the UK's “vast contributions” to the EU.
May used the opportunity 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.
Remaining within the single market would require the free movement of people and accepting the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.
Instead, the PM said she would seek “the greatest possible access to the single market on a reciprocal basis, through a comprehensive trade agreement”.
The PM, however, sounded a warning to the EU against trying to “punish” the UK, claiming a punitive Brexit deal would be “an act of calamitous self-harm” and adding “no deal for Britain is better than a bad deal for Britain”.
She also said if Britain was excluded from access to the single market, it would be free to change the basis of its economic model to pursue alternative arrangements.
Since the referendum the prime minister and her team have simply refused to be so open and explicit about the Brexit deal and plans. But this speech from the PM has put everything to rest. It's crystal clear. The message from May's speech on the morning of January 17 is – we are out.
