Theresa May makes clear: Britain will leave single market

London, Jan 17: British Prime Minister Theresa May, in a long-awaited Brexit speech, confirmed on Tuesday that her country will leave the single market, media reports said. During her speech at Lancaster House, May said, Britain wants to remain “the best friend and neighbour” to European partner. “We do not seek membership of the single market but the greatest possible access to it,” reported BBC. She announced Parliament would get a vote on the fil deal agreed between Britain and the European Union and also promised an end to Britain’s “vast contributions” to the EU.

May said it was not her intention to “undermine” the EU or the single market. But she warned the EU against a “punitive” reaction to Brexit, as it would mean “calamitous self-harm for the countries of Europe and it would not be the act of a friend”, said the report.

“It should give British companies the maximum possible freedom to trade with and operate within European markets and let European businesses do the same in Britain. But I want to be clear: What I am proposing cannot mean membership of the single market,” she said.

The single market allows the free movement of goods, services and workers between its members. The government had previously revealed few details about what it wants to secure from the Brexit talks.

The Labour Party urged May to push for a “deal that works for trade”. EU leaders had said the UK cannot “cherry pick” access to the single market while restricting the free movement of people.

Addressing an audience, including foreign ambassadors in central London, May said Britain had “voted for a brighter future for our country” and would become “stronger, fairer, more united” after Brexit.

She said Britain’s history was “profoundly intertiolist” and would remain so. The Prime Minister said that Britain had often been seen as “an awkward member state”, but the EU had not demonstrated “enough flexibility on many important matters for a majority of British voters”.

She told the remaining 27 EU member-states: “We will continue to be reliable partners, willing allies and close friends. We want to buy your goods, sell you ours, trade with you as freely as possible, and work with one another to make sure we are all safer, more secure and more prosperous through continued friendship.”

May, who backed ‘Remain’ in the referendum, called for a “new and equal partnership” with the EU, “not partial membership of the European Union, associate membership of the European Union, or anything that leaves us half-in, half-out”.

“We do not seek to adopt a model already enjoyed by other countries. We do not seek to hold on to bits of membership as we leave.” Downing Street said her 12 priorities for Brexit negotiations would be driven by the principles of certainty and clarity and the aims of making Britain stronger, fairer and “truly global”. (IANS)