May tells Remain plotters: We will control migration
THERESA May last night vowed to resist the plot by Remainers to keep Britain’s borders open after Brexit, declaring: ‘The people have spoken’.
A gang of MPs and peers led by Nick Clegg have threatened to block the formal EU exit process unless the Prime Minister agrees to a so- called soft Brexit – code for allowing free movement to continue.
They plan to seize on last week’s High Court ruling that Parliament must have a say on Article 50 being triggered to table amendments which would tie Mrs May’s hands.
Last night, on a trade mission to India, she insisted the Government had a strong case for overturning the judges’ verdict in the Supreme Court.
But she dared MPs and peers to defy the wishes of the public for stricter border controls if the matter ever got put to a vote, saying it was a red line.
Mrs May told the Daily Mail: ‘I think the people have spoken on June 23. I think an important aspect that underpinned people’s approach to that vote was a concern that people had about the control of movement of people from the EU.
‘I believe it is important for the UK Government to deliver on that and I think that MPs and peers should recognise the fact that there was a parliamentary decision to give the choice as to whether we stayed in the EU to the people through a referendum. We saw the result of that and it is now our job to get on and deliver it.’
Mrs May said restoring border control would be part of her negotiations with Brussels, which are due to begin in March 2017 and last for two years. In the meantime, free movement will continue.
Landing in Delhi last night, she rejected demands from India for a major relaxation in visa rules for its citizens once the UK has left the EU.
Instead, she offered only to make it easier for its businessmen to get through passport control. But Mrs May appeared to reject demands from Indian officials for thousands more visas to be handed out to its students and holidaymakers every year, a move which would reverse hardline policies she introduced as home secretary.
She said there was a ‘good system’ already in place and Indians currently received more work visas than the number issued to China, Australia and the US combined.
India’s High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik yesterday demanded a more generous regime, saying his country objected to the restrictions faced by tourists and students. He added: ‘Post-Brexit, you need Indians. Our tourists don’t come to Britain due to difficult visa conditions.’
Mrs May will outline her concession on passport checks in talks with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.
The Registered Traveller scheme offers business visitors easier UK border clearance, meaning that, instead of queuing to go through passport control, they can use e-passport gates. They also do not have to fill in a landing card. Only nine other countries including the USA currently benefit. All individuals must undergo security checks when they apply.
Officials believe the historic business links between Britain and India will help the two forge deals post-Brexit. Mrs May is joined on her trip by 33 businessmen and women along with Trade Secretary Liam Fox.