Theresa May warns EU: Punishing UK in Brexit deal will just make other countries LEAVE
THERESA May has warned the EU against trying to "punish" the UK as a warning to others who might seek to leave the bloc.
May: No deal for Britain is better than a bad deal
She said seeking a punitive Brexit deal with the UK would be "an act of calamitous self-harm", adding that "no deal for Britain is better than a bad deal for Britain".
Mrs May said she did not want a long transitional period to move towards Britain's new relationship with the EU during a speech outlining her Brexit plan today.
But she said that once a deal is agreed, it will be implemented with a "phased approach, delivering a smooth and orderly Brexit".
Theresa May warned the EU not to punish Britain in the Brexit deal
No deal for Britain is better than a bad deal for Britain
She said: "We will seek to avoid a disruptive cliff edge and we will do everything we can to phase in the new arrangements we require as Britain and the EU move towards our new partnership."
Listing her key objectives for the Brexit negotiations, Theresa May said: "These are the objectives we have set:
"Certainty wherever possible. Control of our own laws. Strengthening the United Kingdom.
Theresa May said the EU punishing Britain would be 'an act of calamitous self-harm'
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"Maintaining the common travel area with Ireland. Control of immigration.
"Rights for EU nationals in Britain and British nationals in the EU. Enhancing rights for workers.
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"Free trade with European markets. New trade agreements with other countries. A leading role in science and innovation. Co-operation on crime, terrorism and foreign affairs. And a phased approach, delivering a smooth and orderly Brexit."
And she added: "This is the framework of a deal which will herald a new partnership between the UK and the EU.
"It is a comprehensive and carefully considered plan that focuses on the ends, not just the means, with its eyes fixed firmly on the future and on the kind of country we will be once we leave."