WORCESTER MP Robin Walker has welcomed Prime Minister Theresa May’s ‘global’ vision of a post Brexit Britain.
Following the Prime Minister’s opening speech at Conservative Party conference on Sunday (October 2), Mr Walker said he was delighted with the ‘optimism’ and ‘broad vision’ of Britain’s new place in the world.
Mrs May told her conference the UK would begin the formal Brexit negotiation process by the end of March 2017.
The timing on triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty means the UK looks set to leave the EU by summer 2019.
The Prime Minister told the conference, her first as Prime Minister, the Government would strike a deal with the EU as an ‘independent, sovereign’ UK.
“The referendum result was clear. It was legitimate. It was the biggest vote for change this country Has ever known. Brexit means Brexit – and we’re going to make a success of it,” she said.
The Prime Minister also revealed details of the ‘Great Repeal Bill’ which will allow the UK to scrap the 1972 European Communities Act (ECA), which gives EU law instant effect in the UK.
As a result Parliament will be able to adopt parts of EU legislation into UK law and scrap elements it does not want to keep.
Speaking yesterday (Tuesday) Mr Walker said hoped Britain would trade with neighbours in Europe to mutual benefit but also look beyond the continent to opportunities in the wider world.
“I have always believed that Britain should be an outward looking trading nation and I am glad that the new Prime Minister shares that vision and the belief that we must not allow the Brexit process to narrow our horizons but rather to raise our eyes to a wider world,” he said.
“Clearly it is vital that that we seek to develop a mature and cooperative relationship with Europe after we have left the EU, and one in which British companies can sell into the single market without significant barriers and tariffs, while letting European businesses trade and invest here too.
“I also welcome the commitment to defending workers’ rights.
“There are many areas in which British law already goes further than EU law, and the guarantee that the government will not roll back these rights but rather seek to strengthen them is encouraging,” Mr Walker added.
Proposals for the ‘Great Repeal Bill’ will be included in the next Queen’s Speech next year.
* DID you vote for Brexit? What do you expect Britain’s future to look like when we leave the European Union?
Now the date for leaving the European Union has become somewhat clearer, The Observer is seeking the views of Worcester voters on Brexit and what it will mean.
As well as Brexit voters who wish to share their views on what deal they would like to see from the Government we would also like to hear the views of those who voted to remain on June 23.
Perhaps you have changed your mind since casting your vote? If so what has happened to convince you to change your views?
E-mail [email protected] with your views.
