Lawmakers urge May to clarify Brexit intentions

LONDON: A committee of British lawmakers is urging Prime Minister Theresa May to clarify her intentions on Brexit - particularly whether she intends to keep Britain in the European Union’s large single market. The House of Commons’ Exiting the EU committee urged May to publish her plan soon and to give lawmakers a vote on whatever deal is concluded with the 28nation EU. Their report was released Saturday, just days before May is to deliver her vision about Britain’s post-EU future in a major speech. “This is going to be a hugely complex task and the outcome will affect us all,” committee chair Hilary Benn said. “The government needs to publish its Brexit plan by mid-February at the latest, including its position on membership of the single market and the customs union, so that it can be scrutinized by Parliament and the public.”

Members of the committee also warned that the task of preparing for Brexit was placing a “strain” on departments across the British government and said more staff may be required. The committee is seeking a framework of the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU as part of the Article 50 negotiations - arguing that transitional arrangements would be needed for trade to continue if a deal wasn’t complete by 2019.

It acknowledged, though, that Britain’s government may not be in a position to deliver this objective, since it would also depend on the other 27 members of the EU. “The UK’s relationship with the EU is deep and complex, not least in terms of the legal rights of parties in both the UK and the EU-27,” the report said. “It would be unsatisfactory and potentially damaging to both sides were the UK to leave the EU with no agreement having been reached.”