PM sets date for Brexit to get underway
Updated: 2016-10-03 16:37
By CHRIS PETERSON(China Daily UK)
|
|||||||||
Theresa May makes it clear that the formal process will start rolling by end of March
British Prime Minister Theresa May arrives ahead of the annual Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham on Saturday. [Photo by Toby Melville/Reuters] |
British Prime Minister Theresa May says she will start the formal process by the end of March for the UK to leave the European Union.
Her comments put an end to the uncertainty surrounding Brexit by setting a date to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which begins the formal negotiation process.
Under the EU accession treaty, originally signed in 1972, the UK will have two years to leave after it formally tells the EU that it intends to do so.
May, speaking to the BBC ahead of her ruling Conservative Party's annual conference, said she intends to introduce a parliamentary act that will enshrine EU laws in British law.
She said this will allow a smooth transition and permit Parliament to later repeal the EU-based laws that it does not want, including freedom of movement.
She said, "I want to give a greater degree of clarity about the timetable we are following."
In June, Britons voted in a referendum to leave the EU, causing David Cameron to resign as prime minister,with May succeeding him.
May said: "This is about delivering for the British people, and this is not just about leaving the EU-it's about that essential trust people have in their politicians. The people have spoken, and we will deliver on that."
She stressed that British workers' rights, as laid down in EU law, would continue to be unaffected because of the parliamentary act that will be introduced at the end of the two-year mandatory exit period.
This has been seen as a direct rebuttal of the opposition Labour Party's position, which was that workers' rights would be endangered.
May indicated she was keen to seek a negotiated relationship with the EU on departure, including on trade, rather than the "hard exit" with no deal favored by some so-called Brexiteers in her party, which would leave the UK with no formal relationship with the EU.
Her decision means the UK will have formally left the EU before the next general election, due in May 2020.
"We'll be an independent country. Crucially, we still do want to have a good relationship with Europe and the European Union," she said.
After leaving, the UK will be free to strike a direct trade deal with China, something both Beijing and London have said is a priority.
For many of May's lawmakers, the announcement was well received, according to Reuters.
"The timing is just right," Conservative lawmaker Andrew Bridgen told the news agency, adding that voters had understood that May had needed some time to prepare her position.
Others said they feared that triggering Article 50 so early could put pressure on Britain, with elections in France and Germany next year that could see London's negotiating partners change amid the talks.
Reuters contributed to this story.
Related Stories
British PM May tells Brexit opponents Britain leaving EU unstoppable 2016-10-03 02:18
Renminbi use surges in London in spite of Brexit 2016-09-26 16:46
Focusing on post-Brexit positives 2016-09-18 14:06
UK's anti-EU party elects new leader as Brexit talisman Farage steps aside 2016-09-16 21:12
Today's Top News
Joint missile defense drill set for 2017
Snowden appeals extradition lawsuit
Samsung may permanently halt Galaxy Note 7 sales
Turkey, Russia sign deal on natural gas project
Trump goes on offensive, but Clinton more eloquent
China, Portugal pledge to upgrade cooperation
France angry with Poland after it scraps Airbus deal
Pound plunges 6% in Asian trade on Brexit fear
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Hollywood snaps up rock star's dog film |
Chinese people welcome dispossessed |
The can-do generation to the fore |
Riding the wave |
Leisure giants buoy cruise market |
She followed her heart |