London, Jan. 17: Britain has already started talks with India about a free trade agreement, Theresa May revealed today in her most important speech yet on Brexit during which she confirmed that the UK will be leaving the EU's Single Market.
Speaking for a hour in the grand setting of Lancaster House, a palace normally reserved for major international conferences, the British Prime Minister made it clear that Britain would take back control of its immigration system, seek free trade agreements with the 27 other members of the EU but be free to pursue separate arrangements with other countries.
"We have started discussions on future trade ties with countries like Australia, New Zealand and India," she said.
She referred to India in another context to try and explain that "we are one of the most racially diverse countries in Europe, one of the most multicultural members of the EU, and why - whether we are talking about India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, America, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, countries in Africa or those that are closer to home in Europe - so many of us have close friends and relatives from across the world."
There was even a reference to the Commonwealth.
"Even now as we prepare to leave the EU, we are planning for the next biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in 2018 - a reminder of our unique and proud global relationships," she commented. In fact, this gathering will take place in spring next year in the UK.In today's speech, May went further than she has done before in setting out exactly what she meant when she once declared "Brexit means Brexit".
She listed 12 objectives for the Brexit negotiations after she triggers Article 50 at the end of March, which include: "Certainty wherever possible; Control of our own laws; Strengthening the UK; Maintaining the common travel area with Ireland; Control of immigration; and Rights for EU nationals in Britain and British nationals in the EU."
They also take in: "Enhancing rights for workers; Free trade with European markets; New trade agreements with other countries; a leading role in science and innovation; Co-operation on crime, terrorism and foreign affairs; and a phased approach, delivering a smooth and orderly Brexit."
The main points of what she had to say appeared on the front pages today since Downing Street leaked the outline to political correspondents yesterday.
But there was surprise when she slipped in: "I can confirm today that the government will put the final deal that is agreed between the UK and the EU to a vote in both Houses of Parliament, before it comes into force."
May aimed her speech partly at the Europeans, assuring them that she intended no harm to the EU. "We are leaving the EU, but we are not leaving Europe," she observed. There have been hints, though, that Britain will retaliate in a trade war with the EU if the other members attempted to punish Britain.
Britain was leaving the EU and the single market, May stressed.
"And that is why we seek a new and equal partnership -between an independent, self-governing, global Britain and our friends and allies in the EU," she said. "Not partial membership of the EU, associate membership of the EU, or anything that leaves us half-in, half-out.... We do not seek to hold on to bits of membership
as we leave. No, the UK is leaving the EU."
She said that "the message from the public before and during the referendum campaign was clear: Brexit must mean control of the number of people who come to Britain from Europe. And that is what we will deliver".
"I want to be clear," she said. "What I am proposing cannot mean membership of the Single Market."
Hardline Brexiteers in the Conservative Party welcomed her speech but business groups argued that leaving the Single Market will damage the British economy.
The former UKIP leader Nigel Farage tweeted: "I can hardly believe that the PM is now using the phrases and words that I've been mocked for using for years. Real progress."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said May warned that the prime minister was ready to turn the UK into a "low-corporate taxation, bargain basement economy off the shores of Europe" if the EU did not give her everything she wanted.
And Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: "Theresa May has confirmed Britain is heading for a hard Brexit. She claimed people voted to Leave the single market. They didn't. She has made the choice to do massive damage to the British economy."
Politicians in Europe were even less impressed.
Jan Philipp Albrecht, a Green MEP for northern Germany, suggested: "#May: Go f*** yourself EU but please don't let us down. *whine* *whine*"
He added: "Sad: Everything what #May tells her British people to achieve would be possible inside the European Union but will be daydreams outside it."
