Theresa May declares END to free movement as she issues Brexit ultimatum to EU
THERESA May as declared an end to free movement, as she outlines her plans for the UK’s relationship with the European Union after Brexit.
Theresa May: EU law will no longer apply in the UK
During a major speech at Mansion House in London the Prime Minister declared “free movement of people will come to an end” once we leave the bloc.
She said: “We will control the number of people who come to live in our country.”
Mrs May hit out at the EU telling the bloc to “respect the referendum”, reminding them the Brexit vote was “a vote to change our borders”.
However, she acknowledged that many UK citizens will still want to live and study in the bloc, and EU citizens will still want to come to the UK.
She proposed finding a “unique” solution to the issue which allows these benefits to continue, leading many Brexiteers to accuse her of caving in the Brussels
Mrs May said: “UK citizens will still want to work and study in EU countries, just as EU citizens will want to do the same here.”
“Businesses across the EU and UK must be able to attract and employ the people they need and are open to discussing how to facilitate these valuable needs.
“Reciprocal commitments to ensure a fair and open competition, and independent arbitration mechanism, opening dialogue, data protection arrangements, and links between our people.
“These are the foundations that underpin the ambition of this unique and unprecedented partnership, that will then need to be tailored to the needs of our economy.”
She said the UK and the EU need to look beyond the precedents and find a new balance, they must get beyond the transactional and get something better.
Mrs May said she wants the “broadest and deepest possible partnership” between the UK and EU once we leave in March 2019.
The Prime Minister added that she believes the outline she has set out today would appeal to both those who voted to Leave and Remain.
She said: “The approach I have set out would: implement the referendum result, provide an enduring solution, protect our security & prosperity, helps us build the kind of country we want to be and bring our country together by commanding the confidence of those who voted Leave & Remain.”
She said the future of the UK is bright, whatever deal will be secured - adding that “as in any negotiation” no one will get everything they want.
Mrs May also rejected claims that the UK is “cherry picking”, saying that all trade deals are bespoke.
On the issue of the Northern Ireland border, she said it is not acceptable to say the UK will not put up a border and if the EU does so than it will be their fault.
She added: “We chose to leave and we have a responsibility to help find a solution"
"I am not going to let our departure from the European Union set back the historic progress we have made in Northern Ireland."
When questioned by a French journalist who asked if it was time she “told the truth” about the Irish border situation, Mrs May retorted that there will be no return to a hard border in Northern Ireland and she will maintain the common market of the UK.