The leaders of the other 27 European Union nations will hold talks in Slovakia next week and Mr Tusk said they would “discuss the political consequences of Brexit” for Europe.
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But May said she wanted a “smooth” Brexit process and told Tusk they had “serious issues” to discuss first. “Perhaps the same reticence about standing up for Britain’s place in the European Union which led you to campaign so ineffectively for Remain also puts you off exposing the weaknesses and contradictions in the Government’s position – but continuing to fail to take Theresa May on over Brexit would be a dereliction of duty”.
May has said that reducing immigration into Britain is crucial, having been a major factor in the public’s decision to vote to leave the EU. But we must also think through the issues in a sober and considered way.
“And in the meantime we will hold the Conservative Brexit Government to account and fight for the best possible deal for Britain”, Mr Farron will say.
Theresa May’s first summit as British prime minister gave her a taste of just how hard it will be to satisfy voters at home and governments overseas in Brexit negotiations.
The PM and her ministers were accused of “waffle” by Scottish National Party Westminster leader Angus Robertson, while the Liberal Democrats’ Tim Farron said: “This Government isn’t concealing its hand – it hasn’t got a hand or, it would appear, a clue”.
Earlier in the week Downing Street had attempted to play down Brexit Secretary David Davis’s suggestion that it was “improbable” Britain could remain in the single market.
However, on Tuesday, a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister stated that the Secretary’s speech merely reflected Davis’ own views and that the work on the Brexit negotiations is ongoing.
“That relationship will include control of the movement of people coming to the U.K. And it will include the right deal for trade in goods and services”.
Davis told the House of Commons on Monday it would be “very improbable” that the United Kingdom would retain access to free trade with the 27-member bloc after Brexit if the United Kingdom wanted to regain control over its borders.
The UK government has said it does not plan to kick-start the formal two-year European Union exit process until the start of 2017 at the earliest, to give it time to prepare its negotiating position. What the British people want to see is an element of control.
“It means getting the best deal for Britain – one that is unique to Britain and not an “off the shelf” solution”.
The US and Japan made it clear that their interest in the United Kingdom was hugely impacted by the country’s access to the European single market, and that continued access was vital going forward.
Back at home, during prime minister’s question time May said she was reassured by her discussions during the G20 summit, despite there being no concrete outcomes.
“I hope our party clarifies its position in support of United Kingdom membership of the single market, and continued close engagement with Europe”.
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But Australian trade minister Steven Ciobo warned in a speech in London late Tuesday that negotiations on a bilateral agreement may be “a few years off” – and said that his country would prioritize a deal with the EU.
