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Brexit: Theresa May risks Tory row after suggesting UK may still be in EU after 2019 Brexit: Theresa May risks Tory row after suggesting UK may still be tied to EU after 2019
(about 5 hours later)
Theresa May has risked angering Tory Brexiteers after signalling the UK could stay in the European Union beyond 2019 as part of a ‘transitional deal’ that might not see it fully depart until years later. Theresa May has risked angering Tory Brexiteers after indicating that the UK may not have a clean break from the European Union, even after her planned 2019 target departure date.
The Prime Minister told business leaders she wants to avoid a "cliff edge" that would see the country suddenly drop out of the bloc. The Prime Minister signalled that officials are exploring a potential ‘transitional deal’ which could see the UK retain elements of its current relations with the EU after Brexit, while a new trade agreement is hammered out.
Asked later if this meant Ms May was considering a transitional deal, a Downing Street spokesman confirmed that a "range of issues" are being explored by officials and then failed to rule out that it could mean the country remaining in the Union after 2019. Ms May first hinted at a transitional deal after addressing business groups today, who have raised concerns about the uncertainty brought about by a sudden change in the UK’s relationship with Europe.
The Prime Minister first hinted at the potential route after addressing business groups today, who have raised concerns about the uncertainty brought about by a sudden change in the UK’s relationship with Europe.
She told the audience at the Confederation of British Industry: "People do not want a cliff edge."She told the audience at the Confederation of British Industry: "People do not want a cliff edge."
Ms May has previously said she will invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty in March 2017, triggering Brexit talks, which according to EU rules should be completed in two years, with the UK then departing the union in 2019. Questioned over whether Ms May’s comments to the CBI meant a ‘transitional deal’, a Downing Street spokesperson said: "There are a whole range of issues that are being worked through as we prepare for negotiations, with a focus on how we get the best deal for the UK."
But questioned over whether Ms May’s comments to the CBI meant a ‘transitional deal’ may be sought, that could draw out the process beyond the two years, a Downing Street spokesperson said: "There are a whole range of issues that are being worked through as we prepare for negotiations, with a focus on how we get the best deal for the UK."
Asked specifically if one of the issues is a transitional deal, the spokesperson said: "There’s a whole range of work going on."Asked specifically if one of the issues is a transitional deal, the spokesperson said: "There’s a whole range of work going on."
Questioned further on whether that may mean Brexit is delayed beyond 2019, the spokesperson highlighted that "there is a process whereby you can extend the Article 50 negotiations, but that requires the agreement of other member states." After initially highlighting that it is possible for Brexit to be delayed beyond 2019, the spokesperson said the Government would "not be seeking to extend the Article 50 process".
Asked then if the Government wanted an extension, the spokesperson added only: "Our focus is on the best possible deal." None-the-less, a post-Brexit transitional deal that may see some single market access retained while trade negotiations continue, could anger Conservative eurosceptics gunning for the cleanest possible break from the EU in 2019.
The potential option will likely anger Conservative eurosceptics who are gunning for the quickest possible break from the EU. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said negotiations should not "drag on", adding "let’s get on with it".
Richard Tice, co-chair of pro-Brexit pressure group Leave Means Leave, said: "A transitional deal will fuel more uncertainty and leave Britain in limbo.Richard Tice, co-chair of pro-Brexit pressure group Leave Means Leave, said: "A transitional deal will fuel more uncertainty and leave Britain in limbo.
"British voters have made it clear that they want to leave the EU and the Government must deliver on this in full and at the soonest opportunity – two years after triggering Article 50, or sooner if the EU fails to negotiate.""British voters have made it clear that they want to leave the EU and the Government must deliver on this in full and at the soonest opportunity – two years after triggering Article 50, or sooner if the EU fails to negotiate."
But talk of a transitional deal was welcomed by Pat McFadden MP, leading supporter of the Open Britain campaign.
He said: "It is good that the Prime Minister understands the dangers of a cliff edge for the economy during the Brexit negotiations. 
"Some within her party seem to be pushing for a hard Brexit whatever the economic consequences. However, without a transitional agreement between leaving and agreeing the future arrangements, the danger is that the UK would fall out of the single market and customs union, incurring tariffs for our manufacturing industry, losing passporting rights for our financial services, and posing threats to our agriculture. None of that is good for jobs or living standards."