MAY MAKES IT CLEAR THERE IS NO "MAY", IT IS A FULL AND HARD BREXIT

By Ruma Dubey

Undoubtedly, the speech of Britain’s PM, Theresa May was the most watched event on TV, more so that the speeches at Davos.

There was so much anxiety over this speech because it was to convey what her opinions were about Brexit and how Britain planned to achieve it. So what she said was essentially what we all knew – a clean break from the European Union (EU) and a single market. She is going for the full and complete break! She called for a national unity, where the Leave and Remain, both factions come together and build a successful Brexit. UK is leaving the EU… that’s the message hard, loud and clear; no partial, no associate, no half in-half out membership. So UK is out of single market, customs union, EU rules and EU courts.

But what the entire world was watching this event for was her stance on how UK’s future trading relationship with EU could look like and more importantly, with regards to single market and customs union – an agreement between countries who agree not to impose tariffs on each other’s goods. And of course the 12-point strategy for the exit negotiations.

May categorically stated that Britain did not want to remain part of the single market and on immigration, she said that the British people are demanding controls on the numbers of EU citizens coming to the country and she will deliver on that. She goes on to to say that she wants to guarantee the right of EU citizens in the UK at an early stage if there is a reciprocal deal for UK citizens in Europe - some EU nations accept this will others don't.

On customs union, she said, “UK does not want be bound by a common commercial policy or common external tariff - key facets of the existing customs union - but will look to strike its own bespoke customs agreement with the EU.” This is precisely what Merkel had said Britain cannot do – no cherry picking. So this will remain a very sticky area on the negotiating table with EU. Auto industry, aerospace sector, universities and financial sectors in both the regions will be hit badly.

Highlights of the proposed plan:

• Will go for the hard exit
• Will not remain a part of the single market
• Will seek bespoke customs agreement with EU

• The PM guarantees Parliamentary vote on final deal

• Maintaining the common travel area between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland is a priority during the Brexit negotiations

• UK will 'control numbers' of EU migrants

And now on Friday, we will see another “most watched event of the world” – the swearing in a Donald Trump.  Today, Xi of China and May of UK; both had the common theme of globalization while Trump talks of closed borders. How time changes!