No short-term trade deal on Brexit, vows Theresa
consequences for investment and trade as firms review their investment plans and business strategies,” the letter signed by the Confederation for British Industry, the Institute of Directors and other business groups said.
However, Mrs May’s official spokesman confirmed that she had no intention of signing a short-term transition deal.
“Everyone has always been clear that we are looking to wrap all this up in one single go. Everything will be agreed at the same time,” the spokesman said.
“As the Prime Minister has set out, it’s a bridge to where you are heading. You need to know where you are heading.”
Updating MPs on last week’s European Council meeting in Brussels, Mrs May was upbeat about the progress of the Brexit talks.
“I am ambitious and positive about Britain’s future and these negotiations,” she told MPs. “If we are going to take a step forward together it must be on the basis of joint effort and endeavour between the UK and the EU.
“But, I believe that by approaching these negotiations in a constructive way in a spirit of friendship and co-operation, we can and will deliver the best possible outcome that works for all our people.
“Of course, we are preparing for every eventuality to ensure we leave in a smooth and orderly way. But I am confident that we will be able to negotiate a new, deep and special partnership between a sovereign UK and our friends in the EU.”
Mrs May also rejected demands to say Britain would never walk out of the Brexit talks without a deal.
Former minister Anna Soubry, a leading Remain figure in the run-up to last year’s EU referendum, asked Mrs May to “listen to British businesses – and would she go so far today as to finally rule out no deal”.
Mrs May told her: “We are in a negotiation. I think the best way to get a bad deal for the UK is to say that we will accept anything that they give us, regardless.
“We have to be clear that what we are working for is a good deal but I am optimistic about that because we have made some progress. I believe the good deal we’re seeking is in the interest of both sides.” Senior Tory backbencher Patrick Jenkin praised Mrs May and hit out at Tories threatening to side with Labour against Brexit legislation.
He urged her to “stick to her guns and have confidence”. He added: “Unfortunately, people undermining her from this side are threatening to go into the lobbies with Labour.”