#Brexit: Theresa May to set out UK’s vision of an ambitious future economic partnership with the European Union

In a speech at London’s Mansion House, the Prime Minister will return to the words she delivered on the steps of 10 Downing Street in July 2016, when she pledged to ‘forge a bold new positive role for ourselves in the world and…make Britain a country that works not for a privileged few, but for every one of us’.

Prime Minister Theresa May will set out five tests which will guide her in the UK’s negotiations with the EU over an ambitious future economic partnership.

She is expected to say:

‘That pledge, to the people of our United Kingdom is what guides me in our negotiations with the EU.

‘And for me that means five things:

‘First, the agreement we reach with the EU must respect the result of the referendum. It was a vote to take control of our borders, laws and money. And a vote for wider change, so that no community in Britain would ever be left behind again. But it was not a vote for a distant relationship with our neighbours.

‘Second, the new agreement we reach with the EU must endure. After Brexit both the UK and the EU want to forge ahead with building a better future for our people, not find ourselves back at the negotiating table because things have broken down.

‘Third, it must protect people’s jobs and security. People in the UK voted for our country to have a new and different relationship with Europe, but while the means may change our shared goals surely have not – to work together to grow our economies and keep our people safe.

‘Fourth, it must be consistent with the kind of country we want to be as we leave: a modern, open, outward-looking, tolerant, European democracy. A nation of pioneers, innovators, explorers and creators. A country that celebrates our history and diversity, confident of our place in the world; that meets its obligations to our near neighbours and far off friends, and is proud to stand up for its values.

‘And fifth, in doing all of these things, it must strengthen our union of nations and our union of people.

‘We must bring our country back together, taking into account the views of everyone who cares about this issue, from both sides of the debate. As Prime Minister it is my duty to represent all of our United Kingdom, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; north and south, from coastal towns and rural villages to our great cities.

‘So these are the five tests for the deal that we negotiate.

‘Implementing the decision of the British people; reaching an enduring solution; protecting our security and prosperity; delivering an outcome that is consistent with the kind of country we want to be; and bringing our country together, strengthening the precious union of all our people.’

The speech, which is titled "Our Future Partnership", will set out an ambitious but credible vision for the future and say the UK and EU have a ‘shared interest’ in getting this right.

The PM will spell out her vision of a UK that is a ‘champion of free trade based on high standards’ – thriving in the world by ‘building a bold and comprehensive economic partnership with our neighbours in the EU, and reaching out beyond to foster trade agreements with nations across the globe.’

She will say:

‘So let me turn to the future economic partnership I want to see.

‘As on security, what I am seeking is a relationship that goes beyond the transactional to one where we support each other’s interests.

‘So I want the broadest and deepest possible agreement – covering more sectors and co-operating more fully than any Free Trade Agreement anywhere in the world today

‘I believe that is achievable because it is in the EU’s interests as well as ours and because of our unique starting point, where on day one we both have the same laws and rules.  So rather than having to bring two different systems closer together, the task will be to manage the relationship once we are two separate legal systems.’

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