Strategy outlines divorce from EU
BRITAIN will do its utmost to negotiate a divorce deal with the European Union that is mutually beneficial, UK Brexit Secretary David Davis said after setting out the government’s strategy in an official policy document.
The publication of the White Paper is part of an attempt by Prime Minister Theresa May to keep lawmakers on side as she launches Britain’s formal divorce talks with the EU.
Mr Davis defended the government against charges it had offered lawmakers no time to consider its Brexit White Paper which, some said, gave little detail beyond what Ms May has already said.
“We will seek a new stra- tegic partnership. A bold and ambitious free trade and customs agreement that should ensure the most free and frictionless trade in goods and services that is possible,” he told parliament.
Mr Davis reiterated Ms May’s priorities in the negotiations, which she wants to launch before the end of March, and the paper offered some detail on how the government saw the divorce process, suggesting a phased implementation.
Scotland’s devolved parliament will vote on Tuesday on the triggering of Article 50, which formally starts the process of Britain leaving the European Union, even though its vote is not binding.
WE WILL SEEK ... A BOLD AND AMBITIOUS FREE TRADE AND CUSTOMS AGREEMENT THAT SHOULD ENSURE THE MOST FREE TRADE IN GOODS AND SERVICES UK BREXIT SECRETARY DAVID DAVIS