Theresa May believes Britain is about to embark on a
“momentous journey” as she formally triggers Article 50 tomorrow.
Speaking on a historic day, she will call on Britons to
leave the bitter disputes of the EU referendum behind.
The PM will say: “We are one great union of people and
nations, with a proud history and a bright future. Now that the decision has
been made to leave the EU, it is time to come together.”
At around 12.30pm, the UK’s Ambassador to the EU , Sir
Tim Barrow, will deliver a letter to EU President Donald Tusk. It will formally
set the UK on course to withdraw from the EU in March 2019 after two years of
talks.
The note will be made public once it has been
delivered, with Mrs May due to address MPs at around the same time.
She will promise to heal a nation still divided between
Leavers and Remainers, and with Scotland threatening to break away.
Mrs May will say: “It is my fierce determination to get
the right deal for every single person in this country.
"For as we face the opportunities ahead of us on
this momentous journey, our shared values, interests and ¬ambitions can, and
must, bring us together.”
Tonight Mrs May spoke with Mr Tusk, European Commission
President Jean-Claude Juncker and German Chancellor Angela Merkel ahead of the
landmark moment.
A No10 spokesman said: “In ¬separate calls, they agreed
that a strong EU was in everyone’s interests and that the UK would remain a
close and committed ally.
“They also agreed on the importance of entering into
negotiations in a constructive and positive spirit, and of ensuring a smooth
and orderly exit process.”
Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn delivered a
stark warning that the Tories must not be allowed to use Brexit to re-shape
Britain as a “low-wage tax haven”.
He said: “Labour is determined to ensure we can rebuild
and transform Britain, so no one and no community is left behind.”
But he faces criticism from one of his party’s rising
stars, Clive Lewis, who quit the Shadow Cabinet to vote against invoking
Article 50 .
The former Shadow Business Secretary accused him of
giving the Government “carte blanche” over Brexit .
He added: “There’s a difference between respecting the
decision to leave the EU, and giving Theresa May dangerous levels of power to
decide the future of our country.”
Brexit negotiations are expected to start in mid-May,
and the PM is under huge pressure to secure a good deal on key issues like
trade, immigration, and the rights of expats.
Mr Juncker today insisted the crunch talks would be
“fair and friendly”. But privately EU chiefs have vowed to play hardball.
Speaking in Brussels, Labour Mayor of London Sadiq Khan
urged them not to punish Britain for pulling out of the bloc.
Mr Khan, who met with lead negotiator Guy Verhofstadt,
warned any deal which damages Britain’s financial services will also hurt
Europe .
He said: “I say this with friendship and all due
respect – but a bad Brexit deal that hurts London would hurt the European Union
too.”
Mr Tusk has vowed to give Brussels’ initial response to
Mrs May’s within 48 hours, publishing a draft version of the EU’s priorities
for talks.
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