London, Jan 25: Theresa May today vowed to publish a ‘White Paper’ on Britain’s exit plans from the European Union, a day after the Supreme Court ruled that the British Prime Minister will require the consent of both houses of Parliament to invoke Article 50.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Prime Minister May said she recognised that there was an “appetite” for such a formal policy document on Brexit, which is expected to be published within coming days.
“I can confirm to the House that our plan will be set out in a White Paper published in this house,” she said during her weekly Commons clash with Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn for Prime Minister’s Questions.
The White Paper is expected to lay out all the Acts of Parliament that will be required to complete Britain’s exit from the 28-nation economic bloc.
The clash came a day after the Supreme Court had ruled that the British PM will require the consent of both houses of Parliament to invoke Article 50, triggering the formal negotiations for Britain s exit from the EU.
The government has since announced plans for a “straightforward” Bill within days to seek such an approval, in an attempt to allow May to stick to her planned timetable of invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty by the end of March.
Downing Street has said that the ruling will not derail this timetable, adding that the British people “voted to leave the EU, and the government will deliver on their verdict”.
The Labour Party leader also raised May’s upcoming visit to the US for her first bilateral meeting with the newly elected US President Donald Trump. May repeated that she would not be “afraid to speak frankly” with Trump on all issues.
May is set to leave for the US tomorrow to address the Republican Party retreat in Philadelphia before moving on to Washington DC on Friday for her bilateral talks with Trump.
Her spokesperson at Downing Street told reporters at a briefing today that while arrangements for the visit were still being finalised, the two leaders are looking forward to the opportunity of meeting “face-to-face”.
“This is a historic and long-standing relationship and the Prime Minister is looking forward to seize the opportunity and establish a close, effective relationship,” the spokesperson said.
Asked if the UK and US would be in a position to discuss a free trade agreement while Britain remained a member of the EU, the spokesperson drew parallels with trade talks with India.
“While we respect our obligations within the EU, talks on how we can break down barriers to trade can carry on. For example, as we are doing with India to explore areas where we can move swiftly (after Brexit),” she said.
From Washington DC, May will be flying to Turkey before returning to the UK on Saturday.
