Theresa May Florence speech live updates: PM pleas to stay in the Single Market for two years after Brexit
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Your support makes all the difference.Theresa May has proposed remaining in the single market for a transition period of around two years after Brexit.
In a landmark Brexit speech in Florence, the Prime Minister said existing market arrangements should continue to apply during a two-year implementation period after Britain leaves the bloc in March 2019.
She indicated freedom of movement would also continue during the transition but workers coming into the UK would go through a "registration system".
Ms May said: "Clearly people, businesses and public services should only have to plan for one set of changes in the relationship between the UK and the EU.
"So during the implementation period access to one another’s markets should continue on current terms and Britain also should continue to take part in existing security measures. And I know businesses, in particular, would welcome the certainty this would provide.
"The framework for this strictly time-limited period, which can be agreed under Article 50, would be the existing structure of EU rules and regulations."
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Sixth: Have you given away Britain's best cards?
TM: Co-operation things like security is important. The public said that we want you to make sure that you could work to continue a partnership that keeps us safe. That's what we'll be doing.
Seventh: During the implementation phase, would Britain be subject to new laws from Brussels despite the fact that we don't make them? And if we stay in the single market, will we pay for it?
TM: It's important for people and for businesses. But as you'll know, a withdrawal bill brings EU law into K law to ensure that we can have that smooth and orderly process of withdrawal.
Eighth Q: What do you now expect between Brussels and Berlin?
TM: What I'd hope is that this is the United Kingdom setting out the opportunity to work together to negotiate a strong partnership, a special partnership, that will continue the prosperity of countries in the EU and UK, in the future. I hope people will respond to it on a tone of partnership. Not just the UK, but the whole European Union. The remaining 27 will think about what they want the future to be. We want it to stay strong. What I set out is a way we can go forward together.
From everyone, the reaction is mostly the same: she didn't say anything we didn't know before, and wasn't leaked in advance. The two important bits – the transitional period for two years, where the UK will stay in the single market, and the talk about a new negotiating position – were both briefed before. And much of the rest was vague fluff: co-operation is important, we have a good opportunity, and so on.
Here's our own Lizzy Buchan wrapping up what substance there was, from the speech today:
Theresa May has proposed remaining in the single market for a transition period of around two years after Brexit.
In a landmark Brexit speech in Florence, the Prime Minister said existing market arrangements should continue to apply during a two-year implementation period after Britain leaves the bloc in March 2019.
She indicated freedom of movement would also continue during the transition but workers coming into the UK would go through a "registration system".
And here's Reuters' wrap-up of all of Ms May's big quotes:
MAY ON IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD FOR NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH EU
"During the implementation period, people will continue to be able to come and live and work in the UK but there will be a registration system, an essential preparation for the new regime. As of today, these considerations point to an implementation period of around two years."
"Clearly people, businesses and public services should only have to plan for one set of changes in the relationship between the UK and the EU. So during the implementation period, access to one another's markets should continue on current terms and Britain also should continue to take part in existing security measures. And I know businesses, in particular, would welcome the certainty this would provide."
MAY, ASKED WHETHER SHE STILL THINKS NO DEAL ON BREXIT WOULD BE BETTER THAN A BAD DEAL:
"We continue to think that."
MAY, ON HOW LONG BREXIT NEGOTIATIONS MIGHT RUN
"Of course we will leave at the end of March 2019 and negotiations will be continuing potentially up quite close to that time."
MAY ON EU BUDGET
"I do not want our partners to fear that they will need to pay more or receive less over the remainder of the current budget plan as a result of our decision to leave. The UK will honour commitments we have made during the period of our membership.
"And, as we move forwards, we will also want to continue working together in ways that promote the long-term economic development of our continent. This includes continuing to take part in those specific policies and programmes which are greatly to the UK and the EU's joint advantage, such as those that promote science, education and culture - and those that promote our mutual security."
MAY ON UK COURTS REFERRING TO EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE
"Over time ... the rights of EU citizens in the UK, and UK citizens overseas will diverge. And I want to incorporate our agreement fully into UK law, and make sure the UK courts can refer directly to it. And when there is uncertainty around underlying EU law, I want the UK courts to be able to take into account the judgements of the European Court of Justice with a view to ensuring consistent interpretation. And on this basis I hope our teams can reach firm agreement quickly."
MAY ON UK NOT FEELING AT HOME IN EU
"Throughout its membership, the United Kingdom has never totally felt at home being in the European Union.
"And, perhaps because of our history and geography, the European Union never felt to us like an integral part of our national story, in the way it does to so many elsewhere in Europe. It is a matter of choices.
"The profound pooling of sovereignty that is a crucial feature of the European Union permits unprecedentedly deep cooperation which brings benefits but it also means that when countries are in the minority they must sometimes accept decisions they do not want, even affecting domestic matters with no market implications beyond their borders."
MAY ON OPTIMISM
"We are moving through a new and critical period in the history of the United Kingdom's relationship with the European Union. The British people have decided to leave the EU and be a global free-trading nation able to chart our own way in the world.
"For many, this is an exciting time full of promise. For others it is a worrying one. I look ahead with optimism."
MAY ON WORKING WITH EU ON DEFENCE, SECURITY
"Our commitment to the defence and indeed the advance of our shared values is undimmed. Our determination to defend the stability, security and prosperity of our European neighbours and friends remains steadfast."
MAY ON PROGRESS SO FAR IN BREXIT TALKS
"We have now conducted three rounds of negotiations and while at times those negotiations have been tough it's clear that, thanks to the professionalism and diligence of David Davis and Michel Barnier, we have made concrete progress on many important issues."
Boris Johnson has praised the Prime Minister's Brexit speech as "positive, optimistic and dynamic".
The Foreign Secretary said the Florence speech "rightly disposes of the Norway option".
He added: "A strong Britain working hand in hand with a strong Europe - but once again free to take our own decisions."
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid also backed Theresa May, saying she had delivered a "strong speech", saying: "Committed to delivering Brexit, reaching out to our European friends, realistic & practical #florencespeech."
But former Ukip leader Nigel Farage criticised Mrs May's vision, claiming Britain will leave the EU in "name only".
He tweeted: "Theresa May's Brexit vision is that we Leave the EU in name only. All areas of integration we have currently will be rebadged."
Theresa May has set out plans for a two-year implementation period to smooth the Brexit process and promised to honour the UK's commitments to the EU's budget as she sought to end the deadlock over Britain's break from Brussels.
The Prime Minister said neither the Government nor the EU would be ready to fully implement new arrangements for Brexit on March 29 2019 when the UK formally leaves.
She proposed an implementation period during which "the existing structure of EU rules and regulations" would apply - and people from the EU would continue to be able to "live and work" in the UK under a registration scheme.
"As of today, these considerations point to an implementation period of around two years," she said, although in some areas changes to new arrangements could be made more quickly.
The Prime Minister also used the landmark 35-minute speech in Florence to call for a "bold new strategic agreement" in a treaty on security as a sign of the UK's continued commitment to the continent.
Manfred Weber, a key ally of Angela Merkel, has tweeted that Theresa May's speech wasn't good enough. Indeed, he is "even more concerned" after the talk, he said.
"Money is one thing, but people's everyday life is more important. EU citizens in the UK need legal certainty," he posted.
"The clock is ticking and time is running faster than the government believes in London," he wrote in a follow-up message. "In substance PM May is bringing no more clarity to London's positions. I am even more concerned now."
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