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| Theresa May reaffirms migration controls as key aim of Brexit | Theresa May reaffirms migration controls as key aim of Brexit |
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| Theresa May has reaffirmed the importance of controlling migration to the UK from other EU countries as a central aim of Brexit, after a meeting with other EU leaders in Brussels. | Theresa May has reaffirmed the importance of controlling migration to the UK from other EU countries as a central aim of Brexit, after a meeting with other EU leaders in Brussels. |
| At a dinner with the other 27 EU leaders on Thursday night, the prime minister outlined the broad principles of what she called a “fair and serious offer” to protect the rights of EU citizens living in the UK – before leaving to allow them to continue discussions without her. | At a dinner with the other 27 EU leaders on Thursday night, the prime minister outlined the broad principles of what she called a “fair and serious offer” to protect the rights of EU citizens living in the UK – before leaving to allow them to continue discussions without her. |
| But at a press conference in Brussels on Friday, she underlined the fact that once Britain formally leaves the EU, in 2019, controlling immigration will be a key priority, which she believes voters were demanding when they backed Brexit last year. | But at a press conference in Brussels on Friday, she underlined the fact that once Britain formally leaves the EU, in 2019, controlling immigration will be a key priority, which she believes voters were demanding when they backed Brexit last year. |
| “I think what voters voted for when they voted to leave the EU was to ensure that outside the European Union the United Kingdom could establish our own rules on migration, from the EU into the UK, and that is exactly what we will be doing,” May said. | “I think what voters voted for when they voted to leave the EU was to ensure that outside the European Union the United Kingdom could establish our own rules on migration, from the EU into the UK, and that is exactly what we will be doing,” May said. |
| She pointed to the immigration bill announced in the Queen’s speech on Wednesday, as one of the eight Brexit-related pieces of legislation the government hopes to pass in the current two-year session of parliament. | She pointed to the immigration bill announced in the Queen’s speech on Wednesday, as one of the eight Brexit-related pieces of legislation the government hopes to pass in the current two-year session of parliament. |
| Despite the sceptical response of key EU leaders, May insisted she had received a positive reaction from some of her colleagues. | Despite the sceptical response of key EU leaders, May insisted she had received a positive reaction from some of her colleagues. |
| She also hinted there could be a compromise over the EU’s demand in its own offer that future rights of EU citizens be underpinned by the European court of justice - anathema to some Conservative MPs. | She also hinted there could be a compromise over the EU’s demand in its own offer that future rights of EU citizens be underpinned by the European court of justice - anathema to some Conservative MPs. |
| “If this is an aspect of the withdrawal treaty then it will be enshrined in international law,” May said on Friday, suggesting international courts could oversee the promise. | “If this is an aspect of the withdrawal treaty then it will be enshrined in international law,” May said on Friday, suggesting international courts could oversee the promise. |
| “I want all those EU citizens who have made their lives and homes in our country to know that no one will have to leave. We won’t be seeing families split apart; people will be able to go on living their lives as before.” | “I want all those EU citizens who have made their lives and homes in our country to know that no one will have to leave. We won’t be seeing families split apart; people will be able to go on living their lives as before.” |
| She made clear – as she has throughout her premiership – that the offer was conditional on striking an agreement over the future of British citizens living in other EU countries, something she said she hoped to conclude “at the earliest possible date”. | She made clear – as she has throughout her premiership – that the offer was conditional on striking an agreement over the future of British citizens living in other EU countries, something she said she hoped to conclude “at the earliest possible date”. |
| Full details of the offer will be laid out in a government paper on Monday, but the prime minister said EU citizen who arrive before Britain formally leaves in 2019 will be able to apply for a new “settled status” after five years, allowing them to acquire the same rights as UK nationals to pensions, benefits and the NHS. | Full details of the offer will be laid out in a government paper on Monday, but the prime minister said EU citizen who arrive before Britain formally leaves in 2019 will be able to apply for a new “settled status” after five years, allowing them to acquire the same rights as UK nationals to pensions, benefits and the NHS. |
| The European council meeting was not meant to be a forum for Brexit discussions, which kicked off last Monday, but initial responses from leaders in Brussels were unenthusiastic. Donald Tusk, the council’s president, said the offer was “below expectations” and “risks worsening the situation”. | The European council meeting was not meant to be a forum for Brexit discussions, which kicked off last Monday, but initial responses from leaders in Brussels were unenthusiastic. Donald Tusk, the council’s president, said the offer was “below expectations” and “risks worsening the situation”. |
| Back in the UK, Labour’s shadow Brexit secretary, Keir Starmer, condemned the PM’s offer as “too little, too late”; and London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, said it was wrong to treat EU citizens as “bargaining chips”. | Back in the UK, Labour’s shadow Brexit secretary, Keir Starmer, condemned the PM’s offer as “too little, too late”; and London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, said it was wrong to treat EU citizens as “bargaining chips”. |
| She said while the UK’s offer to EU citizens would create certainty, “I also want to see that certainty, that reassurance, given to UK citizens who are living in the European Union. You wouldn’t expect me, as the British prime minister, to say anything less.” | She said while the UK’s offer to EU citizens would create certainty, “I also want to see that certainty, that reassurance, given to UK citizens who are living in the European Union. You wouldn’t expect me, as the British prime minister, to say anything less.” |
| May was speaking on the first anniversary of the Brexit referendum, which some of her pro-leave cabinet colleagues have dubbed “independence day”. | May was speaking on the first anniversary of the Brexit referendum, which some of her pro-leave cabinet colleagues have dubbed “independence day”. |
| Andrea Leadsom, the Leader of the Commons, tweeted that the referendum was a “fantastic, superb, amazing result”. | Andrea Leadsom, the Leader of the Commons, tweeted that the referendum was a “fantastic, superb, amazing result”. |
| One year on... A fantastic, superb, amazing result for Britain & our future in the world! Happy #IndependenceDay @BorisJohnson @GiselaStuart pic.twitter.com/0UVRa6np8g | One year on... A fantastic, superb, amazing result for Britain & our future in the world! Happy #IndependenceDay @BorisJohnson @GiselaStuart pic.twitter.com/0UVRa6np8g |
| Asked whether, one year on from the vote Brexit would be good for Britain, May said: “That’s exactly what we’re working for,” adding, “I believe in Britain, I believe in our opportunities as a country.” |