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May confirms UK to leave EU single market May confirms UK to leave EU single market
(35 minutes later)
The prime minister has put herself on a collision course with the Scottish government after confirming that the UK will leave the European single market.The prime minister has put herself on a collision course with the Scottish government after confirming that the UK will leave the European single market.
Theresa May said she wanted the "freest possible trade in goods and services" between the UK and EU after Brexit.Theresa May said she wanted the "freest possible trade in goods and services" between the UK and EU after Brexit.
But she said that this "cannot mean membership of the single market".But she said that this "cannot mean membership of the single market".
The SNP's deputy leader, Angus Robertson, tweeted that ruling out single market membership was a "big problem".The SNP's deputy leader, Angus Robertson, tweeted that ruling out single market membership was a "big problem".
The Scottish government has repeatedly raised the prospect of an independence referendum if Scotland's membership of the single market is threatened. The Scottish government has repeatedly raised the prospect of an independence referendum if Scotland's membership of the single market is threatened by a so-called hard Brexit.
It has set out proposals aimed at keeping Scotland in the trade bloc even if the rest of the UK leaves.It has set out proposals aimed at keeping Scotland in the trade bloc even if the rest of the UK leaves.
'Global Britain'
Speaking in London as she outlined her 12 objectives for the Brexit negotiations, Mrs May said the Scottish government's proposals would be considered as part of the Brexit process.Speaking in London as she outlined her 12 objectives for the Brexit negotiations, Mrs May said the Scottish government's proposals would be considered as part of the Brexit process.
And she made clear that she wanted a "customs agreement" with the other 27 member states of the EU as part of efforts to ensure Brexit leads to "the freest possible trade in goods and services between Britain and the EU's member states". And she made clear that she wanted a "customs agreement" with the other 27 member states of the EU as part of efforts to ensure Brexit leads to tariff-free trade and "the freest possible trade in goods and services between Britain and the EU's member states".
The prime minister also said she wanted the UK to be able to negotiate trade deals with other countries around the world as part of plans to create a "truly global Britain".The prime minister also said she wanted the UK to be able to negotiate trade deals with other countries around the world as part of plans to create a "truly global Britain".
But she added: "What I am proposing cannot mean membership of the single market. Instead we seek the greatest possible access to it though a new comprehensive, bold and ambitious free trade agreement.But she added: "What I am proposing cannot mean membership of the single market. Instead we seek the greatest possible access to it though a new comprehensive, bold and ambitious free trade agreement.
"That agreement may take in elements of current single-market arrangements in certain areas.""That agreement may take in elements of current single-market arrangements in certain areas."
Analysis by Brian Taylor, BBC Scotland political editorAnalysis by Brian Taylor, BBC Scotland political editor
Nicola Sturgeon said in the Scottish government paper published towards the end of last year that she wanted to stay in the EU, but in the absence of that she wanted the UK as a whole to stay in the single market.Nicola Sturgeon said in the Scottish government paper published towards the end of last year that she wanted to stay in the EU, but in the absence of that she wanted the UK as a whole to stay in the single market.
If not that, then Scotland in the single market, and if not that then it would have to be an independence referendum.If not that, then Scotland in the single market, and if not that then it would have to be an independence referendum.
Of those three, I think today's speech will remove stage one - there is no prospect from Theresa May's stance of the UK remaining a member of the single market.Of those three, I think today's speech will remove stage one - there is no prospect from Theresa May's stance of the UK remaining a member of the single market.
It makes the prospect of a further, relatively early, referendum on independence more - rather than less - likely.It makes the prospect of a further, relatively early, referendum on independence more - rather than less - likely.
The Scottish government's Brexit minister, Michael Russell, told BBC Scotland on Monday that a vote on independence would not be inevitable if Mrs May outlined a so-called hard Brexit in her speech.The Scottish government's Brexit minister, Michael Russell, told BBC Scotland on Monday that a vote on independence would not be inevitable if Mrs May outlined a so-called hard Brexit in her speech.
But he said such a move would "certainly focus the mind very substantially".But he said such a move would "certainly focus the mind very substantially".
In her speech, the prime minister urged people across the UK to "face the future together, united by what makes us strong."In her speech, the prime minister urged people across the UK to "face the future together, united by what makes us strong."
'Precious union''Precious union'
Mrs May said: "We will put the preservation of our precious union at the heart of everything we do.Mrs May said: "We will put the preservation of our precious union at the heart of everything we do.
"Because it is only by coming together as one great union of nations and people that we can make the most of the opportunities ahead.""Because it is only by coming together as one great union of nations and people that we can make the most of the opportunities ahead."
She added: "Foreign affairs are, of course, the responsibility of the UK government, and in dealing with them we act in the interests of all parts of the United Kingdom.She added: "Foreign affairs are, of course, the responsibility of the UK government, and in dealing with them we act in the interests of all parts of the United Kingdom.
"As prime minister I take that responsibility seriously. I have also been determined from the start that the devolved administrations should be fully engaged in this process.""As prime minister I take that responsibility seriously. I have also been determined from the start that the devolved administrations should be fully engaged in this process."
Mrs May also said she wanted to maintain the common travel area between the UK and Irish Republic, to continue the "practical" sharing of intelligence and policing information with Europe and to take control of the immigration rights for EU citizens in the UK.
And she promised that there would be vote on the final Brexit deal in both the House of Commons and House of Lords.
The Scottish government will lead a Holyrood debate on Scotland's future relationship with Europe on Tuesday afternoon.The Scottish government will lead a Holyrood debate on Scotland's future relationship with Europe on Tuesday afternoon.
Speaking ahead of the debate, the pro-independence Scottish Greens said Mrs May "will trigger an independence referendum in Scotland" if she announces plans for a hard Brexit.Speaking ahead of the debate, the pro-independence Scottish Greens said Mrs May "will trigger an independence referendum in Scotland" if she announces plans for a hard Brexit.
They said the move would confirm that the UK government "couldn't care less" about Scotland, and predicted people in Scotland would not want to be part of an "angry, isolated Britain".They said the move would confirm that the UK government "couldn't care less" about Scotland, and predicted people in Scotland would not want to be part of an "angry, isolated Britain".
But the Scottish Conservatives called on the Scottish government to work with other parts of the UK to get the best possible deal, instead of "continually pitting themselves against the UK government".But the Scottish Conservatives called on the Scottish government to work with other parts of the UK to get the best possible deal, instead of "continually pitting themselves against the UK government".
The party's economy spokesman, Dean Lockhart, said: "Together, we represent the financial hubs of London, Edinburgh and Glasgow, a significant number of world-class universities and global leadership and expertise across many different sectors.The party's economy spokesman, Dean Lockhart, said: "Together, we represent the financial hubs of London, Edinburgh and Glasgow, a significant number of world-class universities and global leadership and expertise across many different sectors.
"With these strengths there can be no doubt that we'll be in a better position if we negotiate as one team.""With these strengths there can be no doubt that we'll be in a better position if we negotiate as one team."
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale used a speech on Monday evening to claim the SNP and Conservatives were "more interested in re-opening constitutional divisions than seeking unity", which she said was "a recipe for a cold war in Scottish politics".Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale used a speech on Monday evening to claim the SNP and Conservatives were "more interested in re-opening constitutional divisions than seeking unity", which she said was "a recipe for a cold war in Scottish politics".
Ms Dugdale also said the Scottish government's position on a second independence referendum could leave Scotland "outside of the EU and outside of the UK".Ms Dugdale also said the Scottish government's position on a second independence referendum could leave Scotland "outside of the EU and outside of the UK".
And she outlined proposals for Scotland to be given greater powers over immigration - which has already been called for by the Scottish government and a cross-party group of MPs.And she outlined proposals for Scotland to be given greater powers over immigration - which has already been called for by the Scottish government and a cross-party group of MPs.