The referendum vote last June, in which 64% of people in Gosport voted to leave, was a vote for change and I am pleased that the Prime Minister has confirmed that this decision will be honoured in full. Theresa May outlined 12 negotiating objectives for Brexit, which amount to one big goal: a new, positive and constructive partnership between Britain and the European Union.
1. Certainty: whenever the Government can, it will provide it. It will also put the final deal that is agreed between the UK and EU to a vote in both Houses of Parliament.
2. Control of our own laws: bringing an end to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in Britain.
3. Strengthen the Union: as powers are repatriated back to Britain, the right powers are returned to Westminster and the right powers are passed to the devolved administrations. No new barriers to living and doing business within our Union should be created.
4. Maintain the Common Travel Area with Ireland, while protecting the integrity of the United Kingdom's immigration system.
5. Control of immigration: continue to attract the brightest and the best to work or study in Britain but there must be control.
6. Rights for EU nationals in Britain, and British nationals in the EU: the Government has told other EU leaders that we can offer EU nationals here this certainty, as long as this is reciprocated for British citizens in EU countries.
7. Protect workers' rights as we translate the body of European law into domestic regulations.
8. Free trade with European markets: the Government will pursue a bold and ambitious Free Trade Agreement with the EU, allowing for the freest possible trade in goods and services. But this cannot mean membership of the EU's Single Market. That would mean complying with European Court of Justice rulings, free movement and other EU rules and regulations without having a vote on what those rules and regulations are.
9. New trade agreements with other countries: through the Common Commercial Policy and the Common External Tariff, full Customs Union membership prevents us from doing this – but the Government wants a customs agreement with the EU and has an open mind on how this is achieved.
10. The best place for science and innovation: continued collaboration with European partners on major science, research and technology initiatives.
11. Co-operation in the fight against crime and terrorism.
12. A smooth, orderly Brexit: an agreement about our future partnership by the time the two year Article 50 process has concluded. From that point onwards, a phased process of implementation will avoid a disruptive cliff-edge.
While Britain wants to remain a good friend and neighbour to Europe, the Government is clear that no deal for Britain is better than a bad deal for Britain.
I welcome this clear and detailed plan, which gives us certainty as we move forward to forge a new place for ourselves in the world. You can read the Prime Minister's speech in full, here.
