It’s time to believe in Britain, says May as she aims to trigger Brexit within 14 days
THERESA May has told the country “it is time to believe in Britain” as it heads towards EU exit.
In a keynote speech the Prime Minister was loudly cheered when she said she will trigger Article 50 to signal the end of Brussels rule within the next two weeks.
She urged people across the country to come together to help “build a better Britain” once the shackles of the EU have been thrown off.
Mrs May used an address to the Conservative Spring Forum in Cardiff to expand on her flagship Plan for Britain.
She said: “During the next two weeks, we will trigger Article 50 and begin the negotiations to secure the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union.
“And at such moments – great national moments that define the character of a nation – we have a choice. We can look forward with optimism and hope. Or give in to the politics of fear and despair.
Optimistic
“I choose to believe in Britain and that our best days lie ahead.
“We need to go further and turn Britain into a great meritocracy, where success is defined by work and talent, not birth or circumstance.”
Outlining her optimistic vision, Mrs May said Brexit represented an “opportunity to shape a brighter future for Britain”. Announcing a series of new policies, she highlighted investment in housing, the NHS and getting people back to work, as well as ensuring the welfare system “is fair to those who need it and fair to those who pay for it”.
She also vowed to create a good school place for every child, ensuring working-class children enjoyed the same opportunities as well-off, by lifting the grammar schools.
Mrs May added: “There will be no return to the models of the past but rather a step into a more egalitarian future where the opportunity to receive the education which suits a child best is within reach of everyone in our society and not just a privileged few.
“The Britain we will build must be a country where everyone has an equal chance to succeed and where getting on in life is dependent on talent and hard work not background or connections.
“Our party should aspire to be the servant and the voice of hard-working and patriotic British people of every social class and race, of any religion and none, of women and men equally, of gay and straight, young and old.”
The Prime Minister’s speech came as International Trade Secretary Liam Fox sent a warning to the EU that trade barriers designed to punish Britain for leaving would be “economically dangerous” for the remaining 27 members.
And the continuing Brexit boom was underlined on the stock exchange with shares on the FTSE 100 ending the day at a new record high of 7424.9.
Dr Fox said it would be “politically irresponsible” for the EU to erect barriers to trading with the UK after Brexit. He warned it would be a “selfdefeating” move for Europe’s leaders if they did not agree to the kind of comprehensive free trade deal sought by Mrs May.
Dr Fox warned against “seductive” protectionism, likening it to a class A drug that could “make you feel good at first” but was “disastrous” over time. those of the ban on new