Theresa May outlines plan for Brexit, says Britain cannot possibly remain within the single market
In a highly anticipated speech on the plan for Brexit, the Prime Minister has today said that leaving the European Union will mean the UK cannot possibly remain within the European single market.
Image credit: UK GovernmentTheresa May said that leaving the EU would not mean "partial membership of the EU, associate membership or the EU, or anything that leaves us half-in, half-out."
She continued: "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. No, the UK is leaving the EU and my job is to get the right job for Britain as we do."
May emphasised Britain's openness and "internationalist mindset", but said the UK must ensure it can control immigration to Britain from other EU countries.
Labour's shadow Home Secretary, Diane Abbott, said on Twitter that May knew Britain would be worse off outside the single market and was "[s]acrificing our prosperity to curb immigration."
The full section on immigration from the Prime Minister's speech is reproduced below:
"And that is why we will ensure we can control immigration to Britain from Europe.
"We will continue to attract the brightest and the best to work or study in Britain – indeed openness to international talent must remain one of this country's most distinctive assets – but that process must be managed properly so that our immigration system serves the national interest.
"So we will get control of the number of people coming to Britain from the EU.
"Because while controlled immigration can bring great benefits – filling skills shortages, delivering public services, making British businesses the world-beaters they often are – when the numbers get too high, public support for the system falters.
"In the last decade or so, we have seen record levels of net migration in Britain, and that sheer volume has put pressure on public services, like schools, stretched our infrastructure, especially housing, and put a downward pressure on wages for working class people. As Home Secretary for six years, I know that you cannot control immigration overall when there is free movement to Britain from Europe.
"Britain is an open and tolerant country. We will always want immigration, especially high-skilled immigration, we will always want immigration from Europe, and we will always welcome individual migrants as friends. But 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."
On the subject of rights for EU nationals in Britain, and British nationals in the EU, May said:
"Fairness demands that we deal with another issue as soon as possible too. We want to guarantee the rights of EU citizens who are already living in Britain, and the rights of British nationals in other member states, as early as we can.
"I have told other EU leaders that we could give people the certainty they want straight away, and reach such a deal now.
"Many of them favour such an agreement - 1 or 2 others do not - but I want everyone to know that it remains an important priority for Britain – and for many other member states – to resolve this challenge as soon as possible. Because it is the right and fair thing to do."
You can read the transcript of the full speech here.