Theresa May has confirmed that the UK will leave the EU single market. In a speech given on Tuesday 17 at 12pm, the Prime Minister announced that She will try to get an ‘ambitious free trade agreement with the EU, but she also stated that this ‘cannot mean membership of the single market’.

In what is undoubtedly the most important speech of her tenure thus far, May outlined some points regarding the future negotiations with the Union. Worker’s rights are to be protected under the new outcomes of the deal, but to what extent for now remains uncertain. The Prime Minister also outlined her expectations that she will guarantee the rights of EU nationals in Britain, and Britons living in Europe, as soon as possible.

When asked about her previously stated desire to remain in the single market, May said that ‘since that vote the country’s economic performance has been better than predicted.’

Interestingly, May also stated that EU leaders would be committing an act of “calamitous self-harm” if they tried to punish the UK for leaving, in response to world leaders ‘calling for a punitive deal that punishes Britain.’ It has been implied that the UK would slash taxes to in order to secure investments from overseas, if the EU failed to offer a good deal for the UK. It appears there may be an all or nothing type negotiation, where the UK may take no deal over a bad deal.

Read Punishment and Apathy: World leaders’ assorted views on Brexit



Theresa May concluded her session on Wednesday afternoon by saying that now is the time for Britain to ‘unite’, and put an end to the division.Full closing statement: