'Progress' Nigel Farage hails PM's Brexit speech but warned EU exit could take 'long time'
NIGEL Farage described Theresa May’s speech as “wonderful” but warned her approach could “take a very long time”.
After decades of campaigning for a “clean Brexit”, former Ukip leader Nigel Farage took to Twitter to react to Mrs May’s speech.
He said: "I can hardly believe that the Prime Minister is now using the phrases and words that I've been mocked for using for years. Real progress.”
However, he warned that Theresa May has a record of making bold promises on immigration and then failing to stop record number of migrants pouring into the country.
Ex Ukip leader Nigel Farage praised Theresa May over her Brexit plan speech
He said: "My worry is how long this is going to take and when we will start doing a deal with the USA and others."
She said ‘no deal is better than a bad deal. I like that! It sends a message to Mr Juncker and the rest
Later appearing on his LBC show he told listeners that the Prime Minister’s words were “wonderful”.
He said: “You should give praise where it is due and I feel reasonably encouraged by what she said.”
Appearing on LBC, Mr Farage called the PM's words 'wonderful'
He was particularly complimentary of her threat to walk away from negotiations if the EU leadership continues its tactics of wanting to “punish” Britain.
He said: “She said ‘no deal is better than a bad deal. I like that! It sends a message to Mr Juncker and the rest that she is quite willing to walk away, we won’t go on bended knee to beg for a deal.”
He also praised her as “a clever politician who gets it” over being firm on saying free movement will come to an end.
UKIP deputy: Theresa May 'channelled Ukip' in her Brexit speech
Mr Farage was happy with news of international trade deals
He went on: “I never thought I would hear a British politician say it but she admitted that we cannot control immigration unless we leave the EU.”
And he said her three mentions of “global Britain” and international trade deals were “excellent news”
“Are you listening Donald [Trump]?” he said.
However, the politician was wary of the time it would take to leave the EU
But he warned that her words on a transitional arrangement with no cut off date was “a concern”.
And he said: “It means this could take a very long time”.
He also said he was disappointed there was no mention of fishermen and “taking back control of our territorial waters.”