This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38669531

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Theresa May will tell world leaders UK is 'open for business' Theresa May: UK will be a global leader on trade
(35 minutes later)
Theresa May will tell leaders the UK is "open for business" when she speaks at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Theresa May has told leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the UK will be a "world leader" on trade.
At the gathering of business and government leaders in Switzerland, the PM is also expected to warn about those "left behind" by globalisation. But the prime minister also warned that inequality blamed on globalisation was aiding the "politics of division".
Her trip comes after EU leaders said reaching a trade deal with the UK would be "very difficult". Her speech to business leaders and politicians in Switzerland comes after EU leaders said a post-Brexit trade deal with the UK would be "difficult".
The European Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Pierre Moscovici, said Brexit would be bad for the UK and the EU.The European Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Pierre Moscovici, said Brexit would be bad for the UK and the EU.
In her speech, Mrs May is expected to say the global elites need to tackle the backlash against globalisation, liberalism, and free trade. In her speech, Mrs May said the world was enjoying an "unprecedented level of wealth", but many people felt this was "not working for them".
She will argue for reforms, so the global economy creates wealth for all, rather than a privileged few. Global elites needed to tackle the backlash against globalisation, liberalism, and free trade because leaders who "embrace the politics of division and despair" were working to exploit the situation.
In the Sun newspaper, Mrs May writes that she wants "a Britain - and a Brexit - that works for ordinary working people". The prime minister promised the UK, after Brexit, would take on a "leadership role as the strongest and most forceful advocate for free markets and free trade anywhere in the world".
But the European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, France's Mr Moscovici, told the BBC that Brexit was not a positive move. She argued for reforms so the global economy created wealth for all, rather than a "privileged few", so that "centre-ground mainstream politics" could "work for everyone".
Economic plans
In the UK, Mrs May said, she would announce her "industrial strategy" soon, adding that this would "address the longstanding and structural weaknesses our economy".
She said: "This is not about propping up failing industries or picking winners but creating the conditions where winners can emerge and grow."
The prime minister promised a "bold, confident, open Britain" after Brexit.
Earlier, Chancellor Philip Hammond warned the EU that the UK would have to find ways to stay competitive if there was no "comprehensive trading relationship" post-Brexit.
He said: "Our first obligation of government is to make sure that our people are able to maintain their standard of living."
European reaction
Ahead of the speech European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, France's Mr Moscovici, told the BBC that Brexit was not a positive move.
"You cannot have all the advantages of being the member of the club when you're out of the club," he said."You cannot have all the advantages of being the member of the club when you're out of the club," he said.
"I think that our British friends, who invented clubs, can understand that.""I think that our British friends, who invented clubs, can understand that."
Meanwhile, Chancellor Philip Hammond warned the EU that the UK would have to find ways to stay competitive if there was no "comprehensive trading relationship" post-Brexit.
He said: "Our first obligation of government is to make sure that our people are able to maintain their standard of living."
Analysis - By Dominic O'Connell, Today business presenterAnalysis - By Dominic O'Connell, Today business presenter
Theresa May may receive a warmer reception from Davos delegates than many expect.Theresa May may receive a warmer reception from Davos delegates than many expect.
Patrick Thomson, a fund manager at JP Morgan Asset Management who specialises in sovereign wealth funds - those giant international investors that put the nest eggs of whole countries to work - says that they are positive about the UK's prospects.Patrick Thomson, a fund manager at JP Morgan Asset Management who specialises in sovereign wealth funds - those giant international investors that put the nest eggs of whole countries to work - says that they are positive about the UK's prospects.
For them, Brexit is a short-term issue.For them, Brexit is a short-term issue.
"You have to remember these are intergenerational investors - that's the time horizon they have, and they are upbeat about the UK, which still has many attractions for them, including ease of investment and rule of law," he said."You have to remember these are intergenerational investors - that's the time horizon they have, and they are upbeat about the UK, which still has many attractions for them, including ease of investment and rule of law," he said.
That's the kind of response that will be music to Mrs May's ears - sovereign wealth funds have been the biggest investors in UK infrastructure in recent years, and her plans to breathe new life into Britain's roads, railways, schools and broadband networks rely on their support.That's the kind of response that will be music to Mrs May's ears - sovereign wealth funds have been the biggest investors in UK infrastructure in recent years, and her plans to breathe new life into Britain's roads, railways, schools and broadband networks rely on their support.
Johnson's WWII comment 'an embarrassment'Johnson's WWII comment 'an embarrassment'
On Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson warned the EU not to penalise the UK for Brexit.On Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson warned the EU not to penalise the UK for Brexit.
He said: "If [French president] Monsieur [Francois] Hollande wants to administer punishment beatings to anybody who chooses to escape, rather in the manner of some World War Two movie, then I don't think that is the way forward.He said: "If [French president] Monsieur [Francois] Hollande wants to administer punishment beatings to anybody who chooses to escape, rather in the manner of some World War Two movie, then I don't think that is the way forward.
"I think, actually, it's not in the interests of our friends and our partners.""I think, actually, it's not in the interests of our friends and our partners."
Downing Street later said Mr Johnson "was not in any way suggesting anyone was a Nazi".Downing Street later said Mr Johnson "was not in any way suggesting anyone was a Nazi".
But Labour said the "wild and inappropriate comment" would not "improve the climate for negotiations".But Labour said the "wild and inappropriate comment" would not "improve the climate for negotiations".
On BBC Newsnight, former World Trade Organization director general Pascal Lamy said of Mr Johnson's comments: "It's a clear embarrassment for all these high-flying diplomats in the Foreign Office and they deserve all our compassion."On BBC Newsnight, former World Trade Organization director general Pascal Lamy said of Mr Johnson's comments: "It's a clear embarrassment for all these high-flying diplomats in the Foreign Office and they deserve all our compassion."
What we know about May's Brexit plans
The prime minister has already delivered one speech on the UK's future this week, revealing on Tuesday her plans for the country's relationship with the EU and the wider world after Brexit.
The key aims were: