The UK can turn a corner if MPS back my Brexit deal, May says in New Year message
● No 10 says ‘there is still work to do’ on agreement
The UK can “turn a corner” and leave political differences in the past if MPS back the proposed Brexit deal, Theresa May has said in her New Year message.
The prime minister appealed to parliamentarians not to block her Brexit deal when it is finally voted on by the Commons in the third week of January, saying there were other issues that needed the attention of MPS and government.
Downing Street revealed Mrs May spoke with European leaders over Christmas as part of continuing efforts to seek new assurances over the controversial Irish border backstop.
But with just nine days before the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal returns to the Commons for debate ahead of a vote that will shape the UK’S future, a Number 10 spokeswoman said “there is still more work to do”.
MPS are due to debate the Withdrawal Agreement hammered out with Brussels on 9 January before a “meaningful vote” the following week.
Having postponed the vote in December in the face of almost certain failure, Mrs May still has to win over critics in her own party if the deal is to pass the Commons this time.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said yesterday that while discussions between
the UK and EU had continued, Mrs May was still working on getting the “legal and political assurances” required.
The spokeswoman also said the Prime Minister had “been in contact with European leaders and that will continue in the lead up to the vote”.
She added: “Her focus is certainly on getting the assurances
that MPS want ahead of that vote taking place. There is still work to do and talks will continue.”
In her message to the country for the coming year, Mrs May said: “New Year is a time to look ahead and in 2019 the UK will start a new chapter.
“The Brexit deal I have negotiated delivers on the vote
of the British people and in the next few weeks MPS will have an important decision to make.
“If Parliament backs a deal, Britain can turn a corner.
“The referendum in 2016 was divisive but we all want the best for our country and 2019 can be the year we put our differences aside and move forward together, into a strong new relationship with our European neighbours and out into the world as a globally trading nation.”
She added: “Important though Brexit is, it is not the only issue that counts. When each of us looks back on 2019, it will be the personal milestones that stand out.
“These are the things that matter most and by agreeing a good Brexit deal, we can focus our energy on those things – strengthening our economy and opening up new markets for our businesses to create new jobs and opportunities across the UK; building the housing our country needs so everyone can have a home of their own and transforming technical education so everyone gains the skills they need to get on.”
Mrs may’ s appeal was echoed by the Federation of Small Businesses. Its national chairman, Mike Cherry, called on political leaders to“stop spending so much time on political infighting at the expense of the domestic agenda”.
DUP leader Arlene Foster used her New Year message to warn Mrs May she will need to make significant changes to her Withdrawal Agreement if the Northern Irish party are to back it.
Mrs Foster, whose party is in a confidence and supply arrangement with the Conservative government, said: “The Prime Minister has promised to get changes to the legally binding Withdrawal Agreement.
“We will be holding her to that commitment and we will work with the government to achieve a better deal.
“We are very mindful that any deal will bind the hands of future governments and prime ministers, therefore the legal text must be watertight for the United Kingdom.”
At this time of year, many of us are considering what positive changes we can make to our lives and are choosing our New Year’s resolutions. This New Year’s Day, I’d like everyone to consider a resolution that will offer incredible experiences, culture and history … visiting more of Scotland.
Whether it’s a drive, a day trip or weekend away – we all know that, with an umbrella and a waterproof, Scotland has incredible scenery, culture and heritage to offer. From the rising numbers of whisky distilleries opening their doors to the opening of Scotland’s first design museum, the V&A Dundee, Scotland’s visitor attractions are growing in quantity and quality. And with the most recent statistics showing that record numbers of overseas tourists are coming to Scotland, our industry going from strength to strength.
Over the last year, I have seen this success first hand through my visits to the likes of the recently restored Castle Varrich in Sutherland to the fantastic Scottish Dark Sky Observatory in Galloway, and to some of the incredible events that we have hosted like the Mountain Bike World Cup and, of course, the European Championships.
Around 500,000 people experienced the incredible hospitality Glasgow and Scotland have to offer at last year’s European Championships. I was lucky enough to watch some of the excellent sporting and cultural events in the city and it was great to see Glasgow 2018 create a unique partnership with Berlin/ Germany and support the development of strong relationships across Europe.
The opening of the world-class V&A Dundee was a wonderful moment for me in 2018. With 500,000 people expected to visit it within its first year of opening, it’s a powerful symbol of Dundee’s new confidence and a major addition to our world-class collection of museums and visitor attractions.
And I was delighted to see the Highlands and Islands as the only UK destination listed in the Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2019 top ten regions, which is a really positive accolade for the year ahead.
I am excited that Scotland will once again play host to the very best international sporting talent at a number of major events this year. In March, more than 600 athletes from 50 nations will take to the tracks at the Emirates Arena for the 2019 European Indoor Athletics.
While at Gleneagles in September, we will host the Solheim Cup, the biggest and best team event in women’s golf and a highlight of the sporting calendar. I’m sure that the world-class competition on show as Europe’s finest take on their American counterparts will make for an incredible spectacle, inspiring our young people, particularly girls, and once again showcasing Scotland as the perfect stage for major events.
The Solheim Cup ends a full summer of golf, including the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open and Ladies Scottish Open, and will be a key part of an incredible summer for Scottish women’s sport, with our national football team competing in the World Cup in France and our hosting of the 2019 Uefa Women’s Under-19 Championship.
Scotland’s growing screen sector is also opening up opportunities for tourism and exposing Scotland’s natural beauty and heritage to new audiences. We have already seen the benefits of the “Outlander effect” – with visitor numbers to locations featured in the series increasing