Theresa May Seeks Two-Year Transition Period From EU After Brexit

During what is being called “a landmark speech” in Florence today, British prime Minister Theresa May marked out the future of the United Kingdom in terms of the impending Brexit and the future of her government’s dealings with the rest of the EU.

In the new relationship, neither the EU Court of Justice nor British courts should be responsible for dispute resolution.

Mr Corbyn accused Mrs May and her Conservative Cabinet colleagues of spending more time “negotiating with each other” than with the EU.

The European Union’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, dubbed May’s speech “constructive” but added that it “must be translated into negotiating positions to make meaningful progress”.

The tone went down well with some: “There are many positive elements, especially regarding the future relations”, a senior European Union government official said.

The speech sidestepped Brussels and appealed directly to European leaders in an attempt to further talks that have been delayed mainly by the issues of an exit bill, citizen’s rights and the Northern Ireland border. But Alastair Wilson, head of sovereign ratings at Moody’s, said Saturday that nothing in the speech would have changed the decision.

In contrast to her previous rhetoric about Britain being willing to walk away with “no deal”, the PM insisted it was in the interests of all sides, including businesses, that a “smooth and orderly” transition took place to a new relationship.

Barnier recalled that the European Union was ready to consider a “short transition period if the British government requests one” but also underlined that would entail accepting European Union rules, including on its budget.

He said it was vital for Britain to accept its financial obligations.

However, Ukip’s interim leader Steve Crowther said it was “hard to see what in Mrs May’s speech would conceivably move the EU’s position”.

He said: “The UK wants the EU to suspend the application of its laws, its Customs Union, and its Single Market at what will be a new external border of the EU”.

“Essentially, it’s policy of the Tories [May’s ruling party] to have an a la carte approach, ‘we want a bespoke arrangement and you’ll do it for us because you need us, ‘ without offering much back”.

The analyst added: “Officially the government is now advocating a transition period, and that the United Kingdom will keep paying its subs, but this had all largely taken as read”.

Poland’s Europe minister Konrad Szymanski said there could be no transitional agreement without agreeing on the three key issues in the divorce talks.

Mrs May added: “The best way for us both to succeed is to fulfill the potential of the partnership I have set out today”.

The European Parliament, which will have a final vote on any Brexit deal when Britain leaves in March 2019, will vote a motion on the progress of the talks next month.

David Davis, secretary of state for exiting the European Union, wrote in an opinion piece for CNN that the talks had been “constructive” while showing the need for “more flexibility” if a good deal was to be reached for all sides before Britain leaves in March 2019.

The pro-EU faction of her government, led by finance minister Philip Hammond, want close ties with the bloc, while Brexit campaigner and foreign minister Boris Johnson is pushing for a cleaner break.