'Will we debate Brexit?' Corbyn demands answer as May says UK must 'not show its hand'
THERESA MAY has looked to settle nerves across Europe with a strong speech on how Britain exit “smoothly” from the European Union.
May aims to negotiate Brexit deal that gives Britain freedom
Speaking about her talks in Brussels last week, the Prime Minister told parliament she will deliver “a deal that is in Britain’s interests and the interest of our European partners”.
She said: “It will be a deal which means we are a fully independent, sovereign nation able to do the things sovereign nations do.
“The negotiations will take time.. it will require patience and some give and take.
"We can build a powerful new relationship which works both for the UK and the countries of the EU.”
Ms May also said her Government will deliver the will of the British people who voted out of the Union on June 23.
But Jeremy Corbyn said Ms May could not deliver what she is offering.
Mr Corbyn insisted he was "listened to" and was given more time to give his opinion than Mrs May.
But the Prime Minister disagreed.
Mrs May said several European Union leaders had commended her on a speech to her ruling Conservative Party earlier this month that was widely seen as signalling a "hard Brexit" lay ahead.
The PM who had campaigned for Britain to stay in the EU ahead of a June referendum, caught some in the bloc off guard with the speech, in which she pledged to start Brexit talks by March, curb immigration and reject EU court rulings.
She said: ”What I found when I was in the European Council last week was a number of European leaders actually commending the speech that I had given at the Conservative Party conference."
Labour's Andy Burnham tweeted May had got the "cold shoulder" in Brussels.
That's interesting. In response to my question, PM backtracks on idea of "hard Brexit". Cold shoulder at EU summit must have had an effect.
— Andy Burnham (@andyburnhammp) October 24, 2016
Theresa May vows to deliver strong Brexit deal
He said: “The message that came to me from a lot of EU leaders was the tone taken by the Tory Government has damaged our global reputation and lost us good will - not just in the EU but around the world.”
The PM made it clear there will be parliamentary debate on the Brexit issue.
She said: “We will make time available for a series of general debates on the UK’s future relationship with the EU.
“These will take place before and after the Christmas recess and I expect will include debates on the high-level principles the Government will pursue in the negotiations.”
But Mrs May caused a stir in the parliament when she said she would not be revealing much about the future plans.
She said: “Members must recognise on all sides that the Government must not show its hand in detail as we enter in to these negotiations.”
Earlier on Monday Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed she clashed with Theresa May at Downing Street.
Ms Sturgeon branded a warning from Number 10, at a Downing St Brexit summit, that the devolved administrations must not try to undermine the UK's negotiating position as "nonsense" as she labelled the talks between the PM and the leaders of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, as "deeply frustrating".