Theresa May should announce Article 50 trigger date NEXT WEEK, top UK economist demands
A TOP British economist has called on Theresa May to invoke Article 50 in early 2017 and to announce it at the Conservative conference next week
May should announce Article 50 trigger date next week
Dr Gerard Lyons, co-chair of the Economists for Brexit, said the Prime Minister should only do so if she has “clarity” of what type of Brexit she wants.
He said: “I would like it to be announced next week, but at the same time invoking it in the first half of next year, with all of Whitehall working to a deadline so that by the end of it we leave the EU.”
Gerard Lyons and Rain Newton-Smith clashed on what Brexit should mean
The 55-year-old also applauded Dr Liam Fox’s plans for a post-Brexit Britain, reiterating the International Trade Secretary’s point that Brexit was about “thinking globally” and not just focussing on the failing European superstate.
In his speech, Dr Fox said leaving the Brussels bloc presented a “golden opportunity” and those who believed Brexit showed Britain was looking inwards were “completely wrong”.
Dr Lyons said: “It has been very important since the referendum result for the UK to convey to the rest of the world that we are thinking globally.
The panel discussed what Brexit should mean
“It’s not just about a good relationship with the rest of the EU but its about our ability to sell our goods internationally.
“In terms of the whole debate, I tend to think about it in terms of a clean versus a messy Brexit. What Liam Fox was talking about today was more along the lines of a clean Brexit.”
Dr Lyons did warn against secrecy and the impact it could have on Brexit negotiations and long-term investment in the UK.
Kirsty Wark quizzed the pair on how Article 50 should be triggered
Ms Newton-Smith said: “This is going to be a long running thing. I like to think of it as a marathon, not a sprint.
“We need to have the best minds in the UK from business and government working through what this means for our people.”