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May sets out 'hard facts' on Brexit Theresa May sets out 'hard facts' on Brexit in speech
(35 minutes later)
Prime Minister Theresa May has set out what she called "hard facts" about leaving the European Union, as she delivers her big Brexit speech. Theresa May has set out what she called "hard facts" about leaving the European Union, as she outlined her hopes for a future economic partnership.
"We are leaving the single market, life is going to be different," she told an audience at London's Mansion House."We are leaving the single market, life is going to be different," she told an audience at London's Mansion House.
Access to each others markets would be "less than it is now," she acknowledged.Access to each others markets would be "less than it is now," she acknowledged.
But she added that the "jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in the UK must end".But she added that the "jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in the UK must end".
Mrs May is outlining what the UK wants from its economic relationship with the EU after Brexit. Mrs May acknowledged there would be "ups and downs" and, as in any negotiations, everyone would "not get everything they want" but said the UK and EU had "a shared interest in getting this right, so let's get on with it".
She started by setting out five "tests" for the negotiations and pledge to "bring our country together". The prime minister started by setting out five "tests" for the negotiations and pledge to "bring our country together".
She said both sides needed to accept that "neither side can have exactly what we want" but she was confident that an agreement can be found.She said both sides needed to accept that "neither side can have exactly what we want" but she was confident that an agreement can be found.
The PM said the deal on access to each other's markets had to be on fair terms - with the need for "binding commitments". 'Work together'
"For example, we may choose to commit some areas of our regulations like state aid and competition to remaining in step with the EU's," she said The deal on access to each other's markets had to be on fair terms - with the need for "binding commitments".
On the Northern Irish border, Mrs May said: "Our departure from the EU causes very particular challenges for Northern Ireland, and for Ireland. "For example, we may choose to commit some areas of our regulations like state aid and competition to remaining in step with the EU's," she said.
"We joined the EU together 45 years ago. She said the UK wanted the freedom to negotiate trade deals, control of laws and "as frictionless a border as possible" with the EU but said any disputes about the future relationship could not be ruled on by "the court of either party".
"It is not surprising that our decision to leave has caused anxiety and a desire for concrete solutions. " On the Northern Irish border, Mrs May rejected suggestions the UK could decide alone not to impose a hard border with the Republic of Ireland: "It is not good enough to say 'we won't introduce a hard border; if the EU forces Ireland to do it, that's down to them'.
"We chose to leave; we have a responsibility to help find a solution. But we can't do it on our own. It is for all of us to work together."
'Cherry picking'
But she also said the EU would have to accept some "hard facts" as well, saying: "The [European] commission has suggested that the only option available to the UK is an off-the-shelf model."
"But, at the same time, they have also said that in certain areas, none of the EU's third country agreements would be appropriate."
The prime minister called for a free trade agreement covering most sectors of the economy, going further than the deal signed between Canada and the EU but stopping short of Norway which is a member of the European Economic Area.
"We need to strike a new balance. but we will not accept the rights of Canada and the obligations of Norway," she said.
Amid criticism from the EU that the UK was attempting to "cherry-pick" the best parts of the bloc's rules, she said: "The fact is that every free trade agreement has varying market access depending on the respective interests of the countries involved.
"If this is cherry-picking, then every trade arrangement is cherry-picking."
'Financial regulation'
The prime minister also said the UK wanted to investigate remaining part of the European Medicines Agency, the European Chemicals Agency, and the European Aviation Safety Agency - in return for abiding by their rules and "making an appropriate financial contribution".
And she said the UK would commit to keeping its regulatory standards "as high as the EU's" to ensure smooth trade and that while UK law may not be "identical" to EU law "it should achieve the same outcomes".
In some cases "Parliament might choose to pass an identical law" amid exporters' demands for a single set of regulatory standards.
The UK is due to leave the EU on 29 March 2019 but it wants a transition period lasting around two years after that, intended to smooth the way to the future post-Brexit relationship between the UK and the EU.The UK is due to leave the EU on 29 March 2019 but it wants a transition period lasting around two years after that, intended to smooth the way to the future post-Brexit relationship between the UK and the EU.
BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said Mrs May was expected to "reach out" to the EU in the speech as part of a bid to get it to at least begin serious talks about a future trading relationship.
The speech has been relocated from Newcastle to the Mansion House in central London, because of severe weather.The speech has been relocated from Newcastle to the Mansion House in central London, because of severe weather.