What did Theresa May’s Brexit speech reveal? What did she say and what are the UK’s plans for leaving the EU?
PRIME Minister Theresa May outlined demands which will make up the negotiations for a hard Brexit.
She made a speech addressing the vision delivered as Britain leaves the EU over two years.
Where was the speech and who was it to?
The speech made by the PM was at Lancaster House, London, and it began a little after 11.45am on January 17.
It was billed as one of the biggest speeches she made so far as Prime Minister.
She spoke to an audience of ambassadors from the EU, and a crowd of journalists, eager for some concrete plans to report on.
What was addressed in the speech?
Mrs May outlined a hard Brexit plan for the country's split from EU institutions.
As she laid down what the government wants from negotiations she pledged to build "a truly global Britain".
Senior government sources revealed the PM has made two decisions which predict we will face a hard Brexit.
She confirmed Britain is to leave the EU's single market and the intention to withdraw from the principle of free movement.
She told an audience of EU ambassadors she still intends for the UK to remain close to its "friends and allies" in the EU but was firm that "no deal for Britain is better than a bad deal for Britain".
The value of the pound rocketed after she confirmed the plans would be voted on by both the House of Commons and the House of Parliament - after Downing Street revealed the government was making plans for a ‘Brexit Plan B’ if Mrs May’s hopes are dismissed and the EU closes ranks.
Mrs May insisted she does not want a “partial” membership of the EU.
“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 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.
“The United Kingdom is leaving the European Union. My job is to get the right deal for Britain as we do.”
When can we expect to know more about Brexit plans?
Up until her speech on January 17, the Prime Minister avoided making many certain statements about what exactly is intended for Brexit.
But she clearly outlined her plans and hopes for the breaking, and reforming of Britain's relationship with the EU, through a number of demands.
She still insists there will not be a "running commentary" for every detail of the plans but would try to "provide certainty wherever we can".
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