Back to work for Theresa May’s team as Brexit talks dominate
PM rules out further vote on EU departure
AFTER A long summer of relative political calm for the Conservatives, Theresa May has signalled the Government is very much back to work with Cabinet meetings designed to stamp her mark on the country’s future.
A widely-publicised day at Chequers saw the Prime Minister’s Cabinet crammed around the table for meeting after meeting on Brexit, the economy and the Conservatives’ political strategy.
Mrs May will today chair her first Cabinet committee meeting on social reform which will bring together nine Secretaries of State to discuss how the country can work for the many “not just for the privileged few”,
Buoyed by the news that the Tories have 50,000 new members. Mrs May yesterday set out her plans for Britain leaving the EU, reiterating the fact there will be no second referendum and the terms of Brexit will not be sent back to Parliament for approval.
She said Britain will get a bespoke solution that will not mirror Switzerland or Norway’s existing relationship with the EU.
However speculation remains over how she will marry the pressure of rolling out cuts to immigration and keeping membership of the single market.
The Prime Minister’s spokeswoman said: “In a discussion about Brexit the PM said that there were two related imperatives: getting the best deal for people at home, and getting the right deal for Britain abroad.
“There was a strong emphasis on pushing ahead to Article 50 to lead Britain successfully out of the European Union – with no need for a parliamentary vote.
“Furthermore, several cabinet members made it clear that we are leaving the EU but not leaving Europe, with a decisive view that the model we are seeking is one unique to the United Kingdom and not an off-the-shelf solution.
“This must mean controls on the numbers of people who come to Britain from Europe but also a positive outcome for those who wish to trade goods and services.”
Scotland’s future relationship with the EU was also alluded to, with an attempt to play down SNP First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s rhetoric that the country can go it alone and strike a new deal with Europe.
She said the UK Government and not the Scottish Government would be signalling the terms of Brexit.
Mrs May’s spokeswoman said: “On the agenda and discussed at length was the commitment to the devolved nations to make sure that Brexit works for all - but Cabinet members were clear that it is the United Kingdom’s Government’s decision to establish its terms and on when to trigger Article 50.”
The day of meetings was Mrs May’s first chance to use the historic country estate Chequers in Buckinghamshire and pro-Brexit campaigners who now hold top level Cabinet positions were expected to play a key part in talks.
Each Secretary of State had been asked to present the benefits of leaving the EU for their department.
Today the Prime Minister will chair the committee on social reform in Downing Street which will be attended by Cabinet heavyweights like Chancellor Philip Hammond and Home Secretary Amber Rudd.
This is a departure from David Cameron, who did not have a committee set up specifically to look at social reform.
“At the same time as helping the most vulnerable we must pursue social reform in a much broader sense to help make life easier for the majority of people in this country who just about manage,” said the Prime Minister.
During the meeting she is expected to promise to help “make life easier” for people struggling with job insecurity, mortgage payments and school choice, echoing her Number 10 doorstep speech after being appointed Prime Minister in July.