PM: I’m ready to pull trigger
THERESA May is geared up to finally pull the trigger on Article 50 by the end of the month.
The PM said her plans to begin formal negotiations on March 27 were on track after MPs gave her the green light.
She also lashed out at Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon for overshadowing her Brexit announcement by calling for a second independence referendum.
Mrs May yesterday warned the SNP not to “play politics or create uncertainty or division”.
The PM is keen to reach a free trade deal alongside the UK’s divorce settlement from the EU.
After triggering Article 50 – the formal process of leaving the EU – the PM will have just two years to carry out these negotiations.
But a veteran Brussels insider ® has said it is “wishful thinking” for Mrs May to believe she will get a trade deal in that time.
Ex-European Commission vice president Viviane Reding said: “Two years is out of the question. It is completely wishful thinking and unrealistic.”
The Luxembourg MEP’s warning comes after a leaked document revealed Parliament may have to pass at least seven difficult bills before Brexit.
New British laws might have to be written on immigration, tax, agriculture, trade and customs regimes and migrant benefits.
Bills might also have to be passed on the transfer of spending from EU funds to UK coffers.
No 10 declined to comment on the leaked document.