Government

PM Mansion House Speech 2 March 2018

by Politicker on 2nd March 2018 0 Comments

Today, 2 March 2018, at the Mansion House in London, Prime Minister Theresa May made a speech on the future economic partnership between the UK and the EU.

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-speech-on-our-future-economic-partnership-with-the-european-union

(Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

I am grateful to the Lord Mayor and all his team at the Mansion House for hosting us this afternoon.

And in the midst of the bad weather, I would just like to take a moment before I begin my speech today to thank everyone in our country who is going the extra mile to help people at this time. I think of our emergency services and armed forces working to keep people safe; our NHS staff, care workers, and all those keeping our public services going; and the many volunteers who are giving their time to help those in need. Your contribution is a special part of who we are as a country – and it is all the more appreciated at a moment like this.

Five tests
Now I am here today to set out my vision for the future economic partnership between the United Kingdom and the European Union. There have been many different voices and views in the debate on what our new relationship with the EU should look like. I have listened carefully to them all. But as we chart our way forward with the EU, I want to take a moment to look back.

Eighteen months ago I stood in Downing Street and addressed the nation for my first time as Prime Minister. I made this pledge then, to the people that I serve:

I know you’re working around the clock, I know you’re doing your best, and I know that sometimes life can be a struggle.

The government I lead will be driven not by the interests of the privileged few, but by yours.

We will do everything we can to give you more control over your lives.

When we take the big calls, we’ll think not of the powerful, but you.

When we pass new laws, we’ll listen not to the mighty but to you.

When it comes to taxes, we’ll prioritise not the wealthy, but you.

When it comes to opportunity, we won’t entrench the advantages of the fortunate few.

We will do everything we can to help anybody, whatever your background, to go as far as your talents will take you.

We are living through an important moment in our country’s history. As we leave the European Union, we will forge a bold new positive role for ourselves in the world, and we will make Britain a country that works not for a privileged few, but for every one of us.

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 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 will 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

bringing our country together, strengthening the precious union of all our people.

Brexit Talks – Update to UK Parliament on Sep 6 2017

by Politicker on 8th September 2017

David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, made a statement to the House of Commons on 5th September 2017 regarding negotiations with the EU which took place in July and August 2017.

The main topics discussed were

Citizens Rights
Separation issues
Ireland/Northern Ireland
Financial settlement

Citizens Rights

In July we achieved a high degree of convergence on:
The scope of our proposals on residence and social security;
The eligibility criteria for those who will benefit from residence rights under the scope of the withdrawal agreement
A shared commitment to make the citizens’ rights application process as efficient and streamlined as possible.

In August we agreed:

To protect the rights of frontier workers;
To cover future social security contributions for those citizens covered by the Withdrawal Agreement
To maintain the right of British citizens in the EU27 to set up and manage a business within their Member State of residence, and visa versa and
That we should at least protect existing healthcare rights and arrangements for EU27 citizens in the UK and UK nationals in the EU. These are the European Health Insurance or ‘EHIC’ arrangements.

While it appears that the EHIC scheme will be retained for UK citizens present in the EU and vice-versa at the time of Brexit, it is unclear, whether the current scheme will be continued for travellers from the UK to the EU and vice-versa following Brexit.

Joint technical papers have been published, following the discussions in July and August, which set out the respective positions of the UK and EU in more detail covering points of agreement, differing points of view and those requiring further discussion.

Joint technical note(s) on the comparison of EU-UK positions on citizens’ rights

Ireland/Northern Ireland

The negotiation Coordinators explored a number of issues, including both the Belfast or Good Friday Agreement and the Common Travel Area….

…The key issues in relation to cross-border economic co-operation and energy will need to form an integral part of discussions on the UK’s future relationship with the EU.

Financial settlement

We have been clear that the UK and the EU will have financial obligations to each other that will survive our exit from the EU….

…It is clear that the two sides have very different legal stances. But as we said in the Article 50 letter, the settlement should be in accordance with law and in the spirit of the UK’s continuing partnership with the EU.

Separation issues

On separation issues, a very technical area, we have established a number of sub-groups. They made progress in a number of specific areas, and drew on papers the UK published ahead of both rounds…

…We remain committed to making as much progress as possible on those issues which are solely related to our withdrawal, but our discussions this week have exposed yet again that the UK’s approach is substantially more flexible and pragmatic than that of the EU as it avoids unnecessary disruption for British business and consumers.

I have urged the EU to be more imaginative and flexible in their approach to withdrawal on this point.

The statement also includes brief comments on the issues of Governance and dispute resolution and the Future Partnership with the EU and mentions the Policy and Papers recently issued by the government.

The full statement is available at

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/secretary-of-state-update-to-the-house-of-commons-on-eu-negotiations

DUP Support for Government

Government

by Politicker on 27th June 2017 0 Comments

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has reached an agreement to support the Conservative Government and has agreed to support the Government in votes in Parliament in line with the agreement.

The agreement is known as the Confidence and Supply Agreement between the Conservative and Unionist Party and the Democratic Unionist Party.

The DUP agrees to suport the Government on all motions of confidence and on the Queens Speech, the Budget, Finance Bills, Money Bills supply and appropriation legilation and Estimate.

They also agree to support legilation pertaining to the UK’s exit from the EU and legislation pertaining to National Security.

Support on other matters will be agreed on a case by case basis.

Parties have agreed that there will be no change to the Pensions Triple Lock and the Winter Fuel Payment and to meet the NATO commitment to spend 2% of GDP on the Armed Forces.

The DUP will have no involvement in the UK Government’s role in political talks in Northern Ireland.

The agreement will remain in place for the length of the Parliament and can be reviewed by the mutual consent of both parties.

As part of the agreement, the UK Government has agreed to supply extra funding, worth a total £1.0 billion, to the Northern Ireland power-sharing Executive. These funds will be used towards infrastructure projects, helping to provide ultra-fast broadband and Health and Education projects.

Full details can be found in documents available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/conservative-and-dup-agreement-and-uk-government-financial-support-for-northern-ireland

Confidence and Supply Agreement between the Conservative Party and the DUP (pdf)

UK Government Financial Support for Northern Ireland (pdf)

The Prime Ministers statement to Parliament on the Confidence and Supplpy Agreement with the DUP can be found at

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-statement-on-confidence-and-supply-agreement-with-the-dup

“A Confidence and Supply Agreement has been made between the Conservative and Unionist Party and the Democratic Unionist Party.

This means the DUP will support the Conservative government on votes on the Queen’s Speech, the Budget, and legislation relating to Brexit and national security.

The agreement makes clear that we remain steadfast to our commitments as set out in the Belfast Agreement and its successors, and in governing in the interests of all parts of the community in Northern Ireland.

I welcome this agreement which will enable us to work together in the interest of the whole United Kingdom, give us the certainty we require as we embark on our departure from the European Union, and help us build a stronger and fairer society at home. In the interests of transparency, the full terms of this agreement have been published.

Time is running short for the parties to come together and reach agreement to re-establish a power-sharing Executive by 29 June. I hope the parties will look beyond their differences and come together with a shared sense of common purpose to serve all communities in the best interests of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland needs a functioning devolved government at this important time.

Her Majesty’s government will continue to do everything we can to work with the parties in Northern Ireland, alongside the Irish government, to bring back a strong voice at Stormont for a positive future for everyone in Northern Ireland.”

Statements to Parliament 26 June 2017

by Politicker on 26th June 2017 0 Comments

Prime Minister Theresa May gave a statement to Parliament on 26 June 2017 regarding the EU Council meeting held on the 22-23 June 2017 and the rights of EU citizens living in the UK.

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-commons-statement-on-european-council-26-june-2017

PM Commons statement on European Council Meeting: 26 June 2017 (pdf)

During this statement, the Prime Minister mentioned the publication today (26 June) of a document containing details of the UK’s proposals to the EU regarding Citizens Rights in the future when the UK leaves the EU.

Following the PM’s statement, David Davis, the secretary of State for Exiting the European Union opened the Queens’ Speech Debate on Brexit and Foreign Affairs.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/david-davis-opening-statement-from-the-queens-speech-debate-brexit-and-foreign-affairs

David Davis’ opening statement from the Queen’s Speech Debate ‘Brexit and Foreign Affairs’ (pdf)

David Davis expanded on the main areas from the Queen’s Speech including

Seeking a new deep and special partnership with the EU
Leaving the single market and customs union
Repeal Bill
Other EU exit related legislation

Prime Minister Press Statement 23 June

by Politicker on 25th June 2017 0 Comments

Theresa May released a press statement about subjects covered at a European Council meeting held on 22 and 23 June 2017 including security, trade, migration and citizens’ rights. The Press statement can be viewed below, or the original is available at

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/european-council-june-2017-prime-ministers-press-statement

At this European Council we dealt with a broad ranging agenda.

We covered issues that are of critical importance to the UK now – such as counter-terrorism and climate change. These issues will remain important after we leave the EU.

That is why we will play a full role while we are members of the European Union, and why we want a deep and special partnership with our EU friends and allies after we leave.

Last night I was also able to update other leaders on the UK’s proposal to give reassurance and certainty to EU citizens who have made their homes and lives in our country.

Let me deal with a few of the items I and other leaders discussed.

On security, there was strong commitment around the table to stand firm in the fight against terrorism and the online extremism that incites terrorism.

I was able to thank our European partners in person for their support and condolence following the appalling attacks in Manchester and London.

Those attacks have not just affected British citizens, but citizens from across Europe – just as British people suffered in the attacks in Paris and Stockholm.

And I say this in a city which has itself suffered great loss from terrorist attacks.

These atrocities have strengthened the need for us to work together to keep our countries safe.

So I urged other leaders to put pressure on technology companies to do more to rid extremist content from the internet and to ensure that law enforcement agencies can access encrypted data.

That is what has been agreed at this European Council, and it builds on the recent work I have done with President Macron of France.

We must continue to work together to combat this evil, to defend our values, and to keep our citizens safe.

On defence, we have welcomed plans for Europe to step up cooperation on capabilities, and for the EU and NATO to work more closely together. The UK will always be committed to the defence of Europe.

On climate change, this European Council reaffirmed the commitment of the EU and all Member States to fully implement the Paris Agreement.

The UK welcomes that joint commitment.

We discussed the importance of the EU pursuing an ambitious trade policy, delivering jobs and growth. That trade must be fair as well as free. The UK will continue to play a leading role in pushing for openness in global trade.

On migration, I emphasised the UK would continue to play its part in tackling the ongoing migration crisis – which is a challenge for our entire continent.

The Council recommitted to a comprehensive approach to the crisis. That means dealing with the drivers of migration while also doing more to stem the flow of migration.

This summit focussed on the Central Mediterranean route, and I confirmed a new UK bilateral commitment of £75 million to meet urgent humanitarian needs while also facilitating voluntary returns of migrants making these treacherous journeys.

Finally, after the constructive start to our Brexit negotiations earlier this week, I wanted to briefly set out to my fellow European leaders the UK’s approach to giving reassurance and certainty to EU citizens living in the UK.

I want all those EU citizens who are in the UK, who’ve made their lives and homes in our country to know that no one will have to leave. We won’t be seeing families split apart. People will be able to go on their living their lives as before.

This is a fair and serious offer – it gives those three million EU citizens in the UK certainty about the future of their lives, and we want the same certainty for the more than one million UK citizens who are living in the European Union.

On Monday, I will publish my proposals in full – and look forward to reaching an agreement at the earliest possible date.

Category Archives