London - Prime Minister Theresa May pledged to pull Britain out of the European Union’s single
market while staying inside parts of its customs union, saying the UK parliament
will get a vote on the final Brexit deal.
“I can confirm today that
the government will put the final deal that’s agreed between the UK and the EU
to a vote in both Houses of Parliament before it comes into force,” May said in
a speech to diplomats in London on Tuesday that was broadcast live in European
countries including Germany.
Laying out the government’s
Brexit plans in her most explicit description yet, May said that she was
confident a deal can be reached with the European Union once the trigger to
leave is invoked by the end of March. She called for a “phased approach” that
will seek “a smooth and orderly Brexit.”
Read also: May keen on “differing views on Brexit
May offered a series of red
lines for the coming talks:
* “What I’m proposing can’t
mean membership of the single market.” Staying in the single market “would mean
to all intents and purposes not leaving the EU at all”
* “I do want us to have a
customs agreement with the EU. I want Britain
to be free to reach our own tariff schedules at the WTO”
* She said she wants to be
able to negotiate new trade deals* She wants transitional arrangements for
financial services
* No more UK contributions
to the EU budget
The prime minister didn’t
say what would happen if the parliamentary vote is lost. At that point, it
might be impossible to reverse the Brexit process, meaning the UK found itself
outside the EU without any agreement with the bloc