Hopefully we can now all work together

Ithought it was a welcome dose of realism. It set out the complexities of Brexit and made a very clear case for a new economic partnership. The EU can’t say they don’t know what the UK wants any more.

There are still some questions about exactly how an Irish border would work, but it is good that she separated out how small and large traders will be treated and we will have further discussions with ministers about what has been proposed in London, which helps with the debate about the customs union.

I thought she was particularly right to point out that we won’t be remembered for the negotiations but for the deal and there is a desire to get on with it. The tone was right. It might have been better if the speech had been given a few months ago though.

I think the section on regulations and standards was very practical. I visited a company recently and they were saying that if we were not to be a member of the EU Aerospace Association that would be a real problem for them: they would have to lay off staff and other things. So they will have been delighted to hear what the Prime Minister had to say.

One of my tests for Brexit is that it should not undermine our economy. The speech set out how she wants this Brexit deal to support the economy and support jobs in the UK and I welcome that.

I also welcome the desire that financial services are part of a free-trade agreement and I hope the EU will accept this challenge and that we now work together on that.

‘The speech set out how she wants this deal to support the economy and jobs’