THERESA May’s 12-point plan to take Britain out of the EU is ‘fair and reasonable’ and leaving the single market will give the country ‘greater control of our borders,’ Droitwich’s MP Nigel Huddleston has said.
The Mid-Worcestershire MP, who backed the remain campaign in the referendum, made the comments after the Prime Minister revealed some key details for the first time on Tuesday (January 17) about her approach to negotiations with the EU.
Details revealed in the Government’s Brexit plan includes taking Britain out of the single market, ending the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice and giving MPs in Parliament a vote on the final deal the UK comes to with the EU.
“I welcome both the tone and the substance of the Prime Minister’s speech,” Mr Huddleston said.
“I was particularly pleased that the final Brexit deal will be subject to a Parliamentary vote. This will ensure plenty of time for scrutiny and debate on the details.
“The Prime Minister rightly recognised that it would be impossible for us to remain part of the single market if we do not accept freedom of movement and as immigration was a major issue during the referendum campaign it is clear that the deal we negotiate must include greater control of our borders.
Opponents of the plan, including Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron MP, attacked the Government’s Brexit plan by saying “ripping us out of the single market was not something proposed to the British people. This is a theft of democracy.”
However, Mr Huddleston added he believed the UK would manage to negotiate a ‘robust’ agreement to access European markets.
“There is no reason, however, why we should not continue to have significant access to European markets with a robust free trade agreement for goods and services,” he said.
“Given that we have a £75billion deficit with the EU and more EU jobs are reliant on trade with the UK than UK jobs are reliant on trade with the EU, we have strong cards to play in the negotiations.
“The referendum was a vote to leave the EU, but not a vote to leave Europe, and we want to continue to be reliable partners, willing allies and close friends with European countries.
“What the Prime Minister announced was the broad outlines of the negotiation strategy. I believe that what she proposes is fair and reasonable for the UK and the EU.”
