In her speech at Mansion House on Friday, the Prime Minister re-emphasised an ambitious but practical vision for a wide-ranging arrangement that delivers prosperity and security for people both in the UK and across Europe.
- She laid out five tests for our future partnership with the EU and set out two credible options for our future customs relationship. Both of these would enable us to sign free trade deals around the globe whilst at the same time ensuring that trade with the EU is as frictionless as possible.
- The Prime Minister and the Taoiseach will work with the Commission to explore these proposals and develop practical solutions to the Irish border question. We are not going to let our departure from the European Union do anything to set back the historic progress that we have made in Northern Ireland.
- The speech has been warmly received by businesses. Mike Cherry, the National Chairman of the FSB, praised the encouragement given to small businesses to export ‘not just to the EU but also around the world’, and Stephen Phipson, Chief Executive of the EEF, said that emphasis on the need to maintain common standards will be welcomed by manufacturers.