“Several Cabinet members made it clear that we are leaving the European Union but not leaving Europe, with a decisive view that the model we are seeking is one unique to the United Kingdom and not an off the shelf solution”, a Downing Street statement said after the cabinet meeting at Chequers, the premier’s country house northwest of London.
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“There was a strong emphasis on pushing ahead to Article 50 to lead Britain successfully out of the European Union-with no need for a parliamentary vote”, May’s office said in an e-mailed statement after a meeting at Chequers, the premier’s country residence northwest of London.
Downing Street has said Parliament will be given “a say” on the process for the UK’s departure from the European Union.
Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May, center, holds a cabinet meeting at her country retreat Chequers in Wendover, England, Wednesday Aug. 31, 2016.
And Hugo Swire, until recently a Foreign Office minister, said there was a “fault line” within the Government and Conservative party about remaining a member of the EEA and curbing free movement.
Some are in favor of maintaining full access to the single market and others support not being part of it.
Her aides are clear that her decision will overcome any divergence of views in her cabinet, which like the wider ruling Conservative Party, is divided over the degree of Brexit – whether Britain should leave the EU’s single market to ensure control over migration or find some compromise.
But speaking on BBC Radio 4’s The Westminster Hour recently, Kinnock was scathing about the Tory get together.
Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform, said the UK’s Brexit deal could be a Canadian-style agreement, with free trade for manufactured goods but not necessarily for services.
Although MPs would have a say on the timing of talks there was no legal requirement to consult Parliament before Article 50 was activated, he said.
“In any case, I wouldn’t place any major bets on Brexit”. “Until we have a clearer idea of what it is we are trying to achieve, I think we should proceed with great caution”.
At the morning meeting, according to Downing Street insiders, Brexit was due to be “top of the In tray” and each minister has been ordered to outline how they will “make the most of Brexit” in their own department.
The Labour leadership-hopeful said Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson had all previously suggested that voters should be given the opportunity to sign off on any deal struck between the United Kingdom and the EU.
Philip Hammond is expected to put forward plans for a sector-by-sector approach to remaining in the single market at the meeting.
He told World at One: “They will get on”.
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A WORCESTERSHIRE politician has attacked one of Germany’s most senior politicians over Brexit – telling him to “keep his nose out of United Kingdom affairs”.
