Let me be clear: Brexit is happening on Friday, March 29 2019, at 11pm On a government in crisis

The Government has this week published a cross-party-backed amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill which puts on the face of the Bill the date of our departure from the European Union. Let no one doubt our determination or question our resolve, Brexit is happening. It will be there in black and white on the front page of this historic piece of legislation: the United Kingdom will be leaving the EU on March 29 2019 at 11pm GMT.

The EU Withdrawal Bill is the single most significant piece of legislation in this Parliament because it is fundamental to delivering a smooth and orderly Brexit.

First, the Bill will repeal the European Communities Act from our statute book. In our future relationship – the deep and special partnership I want to see – our laws will once again be made in Westminster, not in Brussels; and the judges interpreting those laws will sit in courts in our country, not in Luxembourg.

Second, this Bill will convert the body of existing EU law into British law. This provides the greatest possible clarity and certainty for all businesses and families across the country from the very moment we leave the EU.

It says that from the outset, the same rules and laws that apply to them before Brexit will apply to them after Brexit – and that any changes we want to make in the law will be subject first to due scrutiny and proper parliamentary debate in Westminster.

So as this Bill heads into committee stage next week, I have a very clear view about the approach this government will take.

Whether people voted Remain or Leave, I believe that what most people want now is for us to come together and negotiate the best possible Brexit deal for our country’s future. So it is right that as we seek to bring our country together, Members on all sides should come together in scrutinising this Bill.

That parliamentary process is important and I am clear that where Members of Parliament think they can improve the Bill, this government will listen to them. Indeed, this amendment to put the date of our departure on the face of the Bill is itself a great example of that – coming as it did with cross-party backing.

But I am just as clear of this: we will not tolerate attempts from any quarter to use the process of amendments to this Bill as a mechanism to try to block the democratic wishes of the British people by attempting to slow down or stop our departure from the European Union.

The British people have been clear. Parliament itself voted for Article 50 – and for this Bill at its Second Reading. We are leaving the European Union on March 29 2019.

It will be vital for the prosperity and security of our nation to secure the best possible Brexit for our country’s future.

As Prime Minister, that is precisely what I am determined to do.