PM Theresa May, Brexit Speech: A Global Britain, A Phased Brexit

The Prime Minister, in her 45-minute speech, set out her vision and priorities, and the possible framework for reaching a mutually beneficial deal between the EU and the UK.

There may have to be compromises and trade-offs in the course of negotiations. but the PM seeks a strategic partnership and a positive relationship, with the UK remaining a good friend and neighbour to the EU and its member states, in every way.

Theresa May's Brexit speech in full: Prime Minister outlines her 12 objectives for EU negotiations - Britain is leaving the Single Market but will still cooperate in other areas, The Independent

UK parliament to vote in final Brexit deal - EU Observer

I didn't catch the full answer to Robert Peston's question, along the lines "What happens if Parliament votes against the final deal? Does that mean that the UK remains a member of the EU?"

(Leave.eu founder Arron Banks: ‘With the promise of a parliamentary vote on her deal with the EU, May has opened the door to a Remainer coup. The House of Lords is a chamber of party political cronies, unfit for purpose. If she delivers on Brexit as she promises, it will be a miracle.’)

(David Davis - 'Britain will quit EU even if MPs vote down deal in Parliament')


The text of the speech, in full

Theresa May's Brexit speech reaction, BBC

Theresa May Brexit speech's shows UK getting 'more realistic', says Tusk - Politics live, The Guardian

'Cherry-picking' not on, Euronews -'David Davis said his job was to persuade Europe that a reciprocal deal would be best'.

“Our approach is not about cherry-picking, but about reaching a deal which fits the aims of both sides. We understand the EU wants to preserve its four freedoms and to chart its own course.
Pretty much every country in the world that is not subject to sanctions has access to the single market. We will have access to the single market; the question that this is about is about the terms”.

May’s Brexit threat to Europe: 'no deal for Britain is better than a bad deal', The Guardian

May's Brexit speech was no war declaration, says Malta PM, EU Observer - Referring to British press articles, Muscat said he “did not see in the prime minister's words, when I heard her first-hand, the sort of declaration of war that some media are depicting it was”.

Boris Johnson, in Delhi: “If Hollande wants to administer punishment beatings to anybody who seeks to escape [the EU], in the manner of some world war two movie, I don’t think that is the way forward. It’s not in the interests of our friends and partners.”

Qu'est-ce-qu'on peut dire?

Theresa May's Brexit Plan, I Want, I Want, I Want - Spiegel Online - A German View:

'Far from being a conciliatory address, May's speech was a catalogue of demands topped with a dash of threat. A great many of her sentences began with: "I want." ...The disadvantage of May's speech is that she has now convinced the rest of Europe beyond a shadow of a doubt that the British government isn't just nasty, but is also prepared to take the gloves off.... No deal is better than a bad deal, she said on Tuesday. If that is how she speaks with friends, one wonders how she might deal with enemies...With its intention to leave the European common market, May's government has opted for the path of willful self-mutilation, at least when it comes to the country's mid-term economic prospects'.

In Europe we see only one loser from Brexit – and it won’t be us, Jean Quatremer, The Guardian - a view from Brussels

We’re not out to punish Britain, but you need to shed your illusions Guy Verhofsradt, The Guardian

EU politicians and businesses warn May over 'difficult' Brexit

Australia eyes relaxed UK immigration under trade deal, BBC

Is Theresa May’s Brexit Plan B an elaborate bluff? FT