As Theresa May kicks off Brexit proceedings with the triggering of Article 50, we take a look at the main points that will crop up in the negotiations
As the PM gets to grips with the UK's departure she has admitted negotiations will be a 'challenging' slog
THERESA May has mapped out her vision for “a deep and special partnership” with the EU after Brexit.
Formally triggering Article 50 exit talks yesterday, the Prime Minister insisted there was now “no turning back” from Britain’s EU departure.
But in a bid to win the best deal to keep trade flowing, she proposed a new but looser arrangement with the continent.
Theresa May admitted that clinching the ambitious deal in the two-year time frame set out under Brussels law would be “a challenge”.
But while dubbing the task “momentous”, she also told the 27 other EU bosses: “It should not be beyond us.” Here are her main points:
Failure to agree will weaken war on terror
THE Prime Minister thrust security front and centre of Britain’s Brexit negotiations.
She suggested a grand bargain where the UK’s world-leading counter-terror and crime-fighting abilities would be shared with the other members, as long as the UK can carry on trading with them without barriers.
Indicating that she was prepared to withdraw Britain’s prized capabilities, Mrs May told EU Council chief Donald Tusk in her letter: “A failure to reach agreement would mean our co-operation in the fight against crime and terrorism would be weakened”.
Highlighting the threat from Russia on the EU’s eastern borders, the PM added: “Europe’s security is more fragile today than at any time since the end of the Cold War”.
Downing Street insisted Mrs May’s offer was “not a threat”, but instead “a statement of fact”.
The PM’s official spokesman also said Mrs May did not mean reducing either Britain’s Nato contributions or ending crucial intelligence sharing by MI5, MI6, GCHQ and their European opposite numbers.
But no deal would mean an end to the UK’s participation in the European Arrest Warrant, EU-wide alert systems for wanted criminals or suspect air passengers, and other information pooling such as finger- print databases.
UK may still be ruled by European Court of Justice
BRITAIN and its businesses will have to accept still being dictated to on occasions by EU institutions after Brexit, Mrs May suggested.
That could include the power-grabbing European Court of Justice.
In the hope of sealing a good trade deal, the PM said our companies would “have to align with rules agreed by institutions of which we are no longer a part”.
She also called for urgent technical talks to begin as soon as possible on how British goods and services could be independently regulated so they still meet EU standards.
Big unanswered questions still remained after Mrs May’s letter on whether the ECJ would still have authority over Britain during the transitional periods after Brexit that could last up to ten years.
No10 said that would be resolved during negotiations.
We'll stand up with EU to Trump and Putin
THE PM promised Britain will be on the EU’s side against global forces trying to undermine the bloc.
She signalled she will stand up to the likes of US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to ensure “Europe remains strong and prosperous and able to lead in the world”.
The PM’s attempt to position herself as a bridge between the new US administration and the EU were roundly rejected by her continental counterparts last month.
Taking a different approach in her letter to Mr Tusk yesterday, Mrs May wrote: “Perhaps now more than ever, the world needs the liberal, democratic values of Europe.”
She stressed she wants to remain a “close friend and ally” of the EU despite our vote to leave the bloc.
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We have a deep and special partnership
MRS May acknowledged the need to discuss a “fair settlement of the UK’s rights and obligations” — sending a strong signal she is prepared to pay an exit bill.
She did not go into any detail despite EU chiefs making clear that they will hand Britain a bill of between £35billion and £50billion.
She called on EU counterparts to work on the exit deal at the same time as thrashing out details of our future trading terms with the bloc.
But German Chancellor Angela Merkel immediately snubbed the idea of parallel talks.
An early agreement on citizens' rights
A CHARM offensive saw Mrs May drop her threat to walk away from Brussels with “no deal” if the EU tries to punish Brexit Britain.
The PM opened her Article 50 letter with a plea to treat Brexit talks “constructively and respectfully”.
She conceded there would be “consequences” from leaving the EU single market.
But in a love-bombing of Mr Tusk, she talked up the “deep and special” partnership between the UK and Brussels.
Scots and Northern Ireland get more power
SCOTLAND, Wales and Northern Ireland will be handed more powers after Brexit, Mrs May revealed.
Holyrood and the other national capitals should expect a “significant increase” in their control over sectors such as agriculture and fishing, whose rules are currently dictated by Brussels.
In a bid to defuse the SNP’s push for a new independence referendum, the PM also declared UK laws would be “made in Westminster, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast”.
Ministers will now launch a full consultation to decide where the decisions should be taken.
Mrs May also proposed a major principle of Brexit talks to protect the UK’s “unique relationship” with Ireland, and that Brexit must not lead to the return of a hard border between the countries.
REPEAL OF LAW KICKS OFF TODAY
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THE Great Repeal Bill to transfer all EU legislation into UK law will today be unveiled by Brexit Secretary David Davis.
He will use it as a signal to Brussels that Britain is not turning its back on continent-wide standards.
Mr Davis will declare it the basis of a “comprehensive new economic partnership”.
The process involves around 1,000 pieces of legislation — usually the number of all laws passed in a five-year parliament.
He said: “Converting EU law into UK law, and ending the supremacy of lawmakers in Brussels, is an important step in giving businesses, workers and consumers the certainty they need.”