Boris Johnson praises PM’s Brexit blueprint as ‘positive, optimistic and dynamic’ but Nigel Farage slams transitional period as leaving the EU in ‘name only’
BORIS Johnson has praised Theresa May’s Brexit blueprint as "positive, optimistic and dynamic" after she tried to break the deadlock with Brussels in a speech today.
But Nigel Farage says the two-year transitional period she announced in Florence this afternoon will mean the UK will be leaving the EU in “name only”.
The Foreign Secretary said her keynote address "rightly disposes of the Norway option", after the Prime Minister ruled out replicating existing trading models.
He added: "A strong Britain working hand in hand with a strong Europe - but once again free to take our own decisions."
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid also backed Theresa May, saying she had delivered a "strong speech", saying: "Committed to delivering Brexit, reaching out to our European friends, realistic and practical."
And Environment Secretary Michael Gove said it was "delivering on the wishes of the British people.”
Philip Hammond said it was an an "excellent speech" that had given "great clarity to our EU partners".
The Chancellor added: "I am confident that we will now be able to move the negotiations forward on the basis of this intervention.";
But former Ukip leader Mr Farage tweeted: "Theresa May's Brexit vision is that we Leave the EU in name only.
“All areas of integration we have currently will be rebadged."
He said the implementation phase means when we leave in 2019 our relationship with the EU will be “virtually unaltered just under a different series of badges”.
And Tory Brexiteer Owen Paterson said "what worries me is the transition phase" – saying it would mean the UK could not enjoy the advantages of leaving.
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Speaking to Sky News Mr Johnson denied the UK would keep the same relationship with the EU over the next five years - describing it as "the beginning of a fantastic new partnership".
He said: "No. As the Prime Minister rightly said - we are going to have a transition period and after that of course we are going to be taking back control of our borders, of our laws and of our destiny.
"And I think what is so uplifting about this speech was that it was positive and it was confident about what Britain can do but also about our relationships with the rest of the EU.
"It sets out a very attractive vision of a strong Europe but one supported by the UK. "
Meanwhile the Shadow Brexit Minister Jenny Chapman told the BBC the speech was “weak” and “empty”.
She said: “People will be scratching their heads and wondering what the fuss has been about this speech
“There really wasn’t very much to it. I feel very, very disappointed in her speech today.”
And Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "Fifteen months after the EU referendum the Government is still no clearer about what our long term relationship with the EU will look like.”
He added that: "The only advance seems to be that the Prime Minister has listened to Labour and faced up to the reality that Britain needs a transition on the same basic terms to provide stability for businesses and workers.
“That's because Theresa May and her Conservative cabinet colleagues are spending more time negotiating with each other rather than with the EU.”
Brexit-hating peer Peter Mandelson, said it was ";kicking the can down the road".
He went on: "Pushing the cliff-edge back by two years is no substitute for a well-thought through negotiating strategy.
"It is hard to see how this will break the deadlock with the EU or advance the negotiations in any meaningful way."