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| Theresa May: UK will be a global leader on trade | Theresa May: UK will be a global leader on trade |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Theresa May has told leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the UK will be a "world leader" on trade. | Theresa May has told leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the UK will be a "world leader" on trade. |
| But the prime minister also warned that inequality blamed on globalisation was aiding the "politics of division". | But the prime minister also warned that inequality blamed on globalisation was aiding the "politics of division". |
| 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". | 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. |
| Key message was on globalisation | Key message was on globalisation |
| 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". | 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". |
| 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. | 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. |
| Mrs May said: "Talk of greater globalisation can make people fearful. For many it means their jobs outsourced and their wages undercut. It means having to sit back as they watch their communities change around them. | Mrs May said: "Talk of greater globalisation can make people fearful. For many it means their jobs outsourced and their wages undercut. It means having to sit back as they watch their communities change around them. |
| "And in their minds, it means watching as those who prosper seem to play by a different set of rules, while for many life remains a struggle as they get by, but don't necessarily get on." | "And in their minds, it means watching as those who prosper seem to play by a different set of rules, while for many life remains a struggle as they get by, but don't necessarily get on." |
| Analysis: A blunt message to global elite | Analysis: A blunt message to global elite |
| BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith writes: I didn't expect Theresa May's speech to give so much emphasis to the downside of globalisation and, with it, implicit criticism of the international elite. | BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith writes: I didn't expect Theresa May's speech to give so much emphasis to the downside of globalisation and, with it, implicit criticism of the international elite. |
| She suggested that too many bosses were not playing by the rules of paying their taxes, taking on board their social responsibility or spreading the benefits of growth and wealth. | She suggested that too many bosses were not playing by the rules of paying their taxes, taking on board their social responsibility or spreading the benefits of growth and wealth. |
| That's quite a tough message when you're talking about people in front of you. | That's quite a tough message when you're talking about people in front of you. |
| Mrs May needs these people to be on board because they bring in billions of pounds of investment - she also needs them to be confident about Brexit. | Mrs May needs these people to be on board because they bring in billions of pounds of investment - she also needs them to be confident about Brexit. |
| Her message to the international elite was fairly blunt: "You guys need to shape up the way you operate - we can't carry on as before." | Her message to the international elite was fairly blunt: "You guys need to shape up the way you operate - we can't carry on as before." |
| What about plans for the UK economy post-Brexit? | What about plans for the UK economy post-Brexit? |
| The prime minister promised that 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". | The prime minister promised that 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". |
| She argued for reforms so the global economy created wealth for all, rather than a "privileged few", and "centre-ground mainstream politics" could "work for everyone". | She argued for reforms so the global economy created wealth for all, rather than a "privileged few", and "centre-ground mainstream politics" could "work for everyone". |
| 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". | 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." | 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. | 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. | 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." | He said: "Our first obligation of government is to make sure that our people are able to maintain their standard of living." |
| European/business views | European/business views |
| 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. | 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. "I think that our British friends, who invented clubs, can understand that." | "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." |
| After the speech, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the UK was "now making a choice to control migration, and they are paying a huge price because the economic growth rate of the UK will be impacted negatively by the fact that it will leave the biggest market in the world". | |
| Looking more broadly at the situation facing the UK after Brexit, Barclays chief executive Jes Staley said the bank was looking at routing some of its activities through its operation in Ireland and Germany but the "bulk" would remain in the UK. | Looking more broadly at the situation facing the UK after Brexit, Barclays chief executive Jes Staley said the bank was looking at routing some of its activities through its operation in Ireland and Germany but the "bulk" would remain in the UK. |
| He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I don't believe that the European financial centre will leave the City of London. | He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I don't believe that the European financial centre will leave the City of London. |
| "I think the UK will continue to be the financial lungs for Europe. We may have to move certain activities ... but I think it's going to be at the margin and will be manageable." | "I think the UK will continue to be the financial lungs for Europe. We may have to move certain activities ... but I think it's going to be at the margin and will be manageable." |
| Lloyd Blankfein, chief executive of Goldman Sachs, said the bank had been moving parts of its "global operations" team to London, but was now "slowing that decision". | |
| Mark Wilson, chief executive of insurance and pensions firm Aviva, said: "We see significant opportunities to differentiate our business in the UK post-Brexit. We like the UK, we are investing in the UK, and we are growing in the UK." | |
| Opposition leaders attack May on fairness | |
| Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Mrs May's "vision for Brexit" was a "bargain basement Britain on the shores of Europe based on low pay and deregulation". | |
| He added: "People won't be taken in by warm words. This Conservative government is backed to the hilt by wealthy elites, lines the pockets of its friends and resists all practical steps to make a fairer Britain work for all." | |
| Mr Corbyn also said: "Today in Davos the prime minister talked about making globalisation work for all. But actions speak louder than words." | |
| Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said Mrs May had a "brass neck", adding: "She goes to Davos to lecture businesses about looking after the little guy, yet she threatens to turn the UK into Europe's biggest tax haven." | |
| He argued that the government was "running our economy like it is a closing-down sale", while "higher prices and more expensive fuel mean families will feel the brunt of this government's bad economic policies". | |
| France hits back at Johnson WWII comments | France hits back at Johnson WWII comments |
| 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. I think, actually, it's not in the interests of our friends and our partners." | 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." |
| But, on Thursday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault responded, saying: "This is not about 'punishing' the United Kingdom. That is not France's stance." | But, on Thursday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault responded, saying: "This is not about 'punishing' the United Kingdom. That is not France's stance." |
| He called Mr Johnson's statement a "smokescreen to allow those who supported Brexit to play down the impact on people, because they can clearly see the negative consequences". | He called Mr Johnson's statement a "smokescreen to allow those who supported Brexit to play down the impact on people, because they can clearly see the negative consequences". |
| Downing Street said Mr Johnson "was not in any way suggesting anyone was a Nazi". | Downing Street 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 | 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 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: | The key aims were: |
| A YouGov survey carried out after the speech suggests that 55% of British people think the deal the prime minister is seeking will be good for the country, compared with 19% who feel it will be bad. | A YouGov survey carried out after the speech suggests that 55% of British people think the deal the prime minister is seeking will be good for the country, compared with 19% who feel it will be bad. |
| But 20% of those who responded said they believed EU leaders would agree to the objectives Mrs May set out, while 56% thought they would not. | But 20% of those who responded said they believed EU leaders would agree to the objectives Mrs May set out, while 56% thought they would not. |
| YouGov interviewed 1,654 British adults on Tuesday and Wednesday. | YouGov interviewed 1,654 British adults on Tuesday and Wednesday. |
| Further reading | Further reading |