FREE TRADE AREA PROPOSED
UK releases Brexit plan that sparked revolt
The policy paper, which sets out plans for close economic ties with the bloc after Britain leaves the EU in March, has already sparked two ministerial resignations and revived talk of a revolt
London — The British government published its long-awaited Brexit blueprint on Thursday, which it hopes will restart talks with the EU, but its launch was mired in farce after a protest by MPs briefly suspended a sitting of the House of Commons. The policy paper, which sets out plans for close economic ties with the bloc after Britain leaves the EU in March, had already sparked two ministerial resignations and revived talk of a revolt against Prime Minister Theresa May. When Brexit secretary Dominic Raab stood up to present the plan, MPs complained they had not seen a copy, prompting the speaker to suspend proceedings to allow them to obtain one. Raab, who was appointed on Monday after his predecessor, David Davis, quit, then continued his statement, describing the proposal on offer as “innovative”. It suggests a free trade area and “common rule book” with the EU in goods after pressure from businesses to allow cross-border trade to continue as normal. Britain would still leave the ...
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