Beware the establishment! Ukip warns of possible Brexit betrayal despite May speech
SUZANNE EVANS claimed Theresa May was "channelling Ukip" policy as she outlined her Brexit strategy and warned she was still wary of an "establishment" attempt to delay or stop leaving the EU.
UKIP deputy: Theresa May 'channelled Ukip' in her Brexit speech
Mrs May used her speech to finally confirm Britain will leave the single market as it looks to take back control of its borders, however, she did admit there are plans afoot for a common travel area.
Responding to the news, Ms Evans told BBC Daily Politics she was delighted with the speech’s content and even suggested the Prime Minister may have borrowed some of her lines from Ukip policy.
She said: “I was chuckling at some of it, to be honest, it seemed as if she was channelling Ukip.
“There were various phrases there that I’ve used myself again and again, and I think her 12 priorities were all extremely sound, good priorities for a proper ‘clean’ or what some people called ‘hard’ Brexit – I overwhelmingly welcome the speech.”
There’s no doubt that Ukip is still very strong on Brexit, we have to make sure we get the right Brexit
Throughout her address, Theresa May declared she wanted to see Britain come away from Brexit with an arrangement which allows the Government to seize back control of its own laws, control its own borders and become a “truly global Britain”.
The Prime Minister said: “My answer is clear. I want this United Kingdom to emerge from this period of change stronger, fairer, more united and more outward-looking than ever before.
“I want us to be a secure, prosperous, tolerant country – a magnet for international talent and a home to the pioneers and innovators who will shape the world ahead.
“I want us to be a truly global Britain – the best friend and neighbour to our European partners, but a country that reaches beyond the borders of Europe too.”
Theresa May vows to take control of immigration
But when challenged by host Jo Coburn on whether Ukip was still relevant after Mrs May confirmed 'hard’ Brexit, Ms Evans declared it wasn't just the Prime Minister who had to be held to account.
“I thought what the PM set out today is, as I say, very sound principles," she said.
"But let’s not forget that it’s not the PM who has got carte blanche to deliver Brexit on her own, this is what Ukip is concerned about.
“She is surrounded by a very strong, very influential establishment – we’re talking about the hardline Remainers, the Supreme Court, the House of Lords.
“I don’t think she did [deal with that issue] in the sense that, of course, if these people kick up a fuss.
“There’s no doubt that Ukip is still very strong on Brexit – we have to be strong – and we have to make sure we get the right Brexit.
“It’s still very much a job for us to hold her feet to the fire, we’ve heard a lot of talk today – and I absolutely welcome the talk – but we still have to see the action.”
Ms Evans targeted the idea of a transitional arrangement, which Mrs May outlined a distinct possibility to avoid British businesses falling off a “cliff edge”.
The senior Ukip member insisted the anti-Brussels party would wait until such a deal was officially unveiled, but warned against allowing freedom of movement being involved because we would face a large number of immigrants from the Continent until the border is closed.