Theresa May's Brexit speech in Florence: What she said and what it means

Theresa May struck a conciliatory tone in her speech
on Brexit as she tried to end the deadlock in the EU
negotiations.
There were bold offers on defence and major
concessions on the divorce bill.
Crucially, she accepted the need for a transition
period - meaning Brexit could be delayed until 2021.
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The Prime Minister also made a new offer on the
rights of EU citizens living in the UK.
But did she say enough on the key issues of trade
and Northern Ireland?
Here are the key extracts from her speech and what
they mean:
Transition Period
What she said : “During the implementation period
access to one another’s markets should continue on
current terms.
"The framework for this strictly time-limited period,
which can be agreed under Article 50, would be the
existing structure of EU rules and regulations
“As of today, these considerations point to an
implementation period of around two years.”
What it means: Mrs May is trying to buy time to
arrange a new trading relationship, immigration
system and customs structure.
The crucial word here is “around” - we could be
staying in the EU until at least 2021 and possibly
beyond.
And during that time we will pay into the Brussels
budget and accept their rules, including new ones.
Free movement of people and the jurisdiction of the
European Court of Justice will continue during this
time.
This is Brexit delayed. And remember, a transition
deal is in the gift of the EU, not Britain.
Rights of EU nationals
What she said: “I want to repeat to the 600,000
Italians in the UK – and indeed to all EU citizens who
have made their lives in our country – that we want
you to stay; we value you; and we thank you for your
contribution to our national life – and it has been, and
remains, one of my first goals in this negotiation to
ensure that you can carry on living your lives as
before.”
What it means: The rights of EU citizens already living
in the EU up to 2019 will be guaranteed in UK law.
There will be free movement during transition but new
arrivals will have to register.
The offer is a step forward but may not be enough for
Brussels which wants EU nationals in the UK to be
covered by European laws.
Northern Ireland
What she said: “We have recognised from the outset
there are unique issues to consider when it comes to
Northern Ireland."
What it means: The EU has said that no progress can
be made on trade talks until the Northern Ireland
question is resolved.
The Prime Minister registered its importance but
failed to come up with a single new solution.
Until the UK offers an answer to hope you keep an
open border with the EU it is difficult to see how
trade talks can begin.
New trading partnership
What she said: “One way of approaching this question
is to put forward a stark and unimaginative choice
between two models: either something based on
European Economic Area membership; or a traditional
Free Trade Agreement, such as that the EU has
recently negotiated with Canada.
“I don’t believe either of these options would be best
for the UK or best for the European Union. We can do
so much better than this.”
What it means: Mrs May has failed to resolve the
Cabinet battle.
Brexiteers are delighted she has ruled out a Norway
model where we have access to the single market but
pay into Brussels.
But we are no clearer on what sort of trade deal we
will get or what the customs arrangement will be. The
EU will want more specifics.
European Court of Justice
What she said: “It is, of course, vital that any
agreement reached – its specific terms and the
principles on which it is based – are interpreted in the
same way by the European Union and the United
Kingdom and we want to discuss how we do that.”
What it means: The Prime Minister has pledged
Britain will no longer be overseen by European Court
of Justice.
But there has to be dispute mechanism for trade
deals. The ECJ also covers agreements on medicines,
aviation and security.
Mrs May wants a new form of oversight but has failed
to spell out how it would work.
Defence and security
Jeremy Corbyn gives scathing verdict on Theresa
May's Florence speech
What she said: “We are proposing a bold new
strategic agreement that provides a comprehensive
framework for future security, law enforcement and
criminal justice co-operation: a treaty between the UK
and the EU.”
What it means: The Prime Minister is playing her
strongest card.
She’s offering a treaty guaranteeing British help on
defence and security and hoping it will be
reciprocated with a trade deal.
But it’s complicated: a lot a security sharing is
overseen by the ECJ. Will that prove a stumbling
block?
Settling the divorce bill
What she said: “I do not want our partners to fear
that they will need to pay more or receive less over
the remainder of the current budget plan as a result
of our decision to leave. The UK will honour
commitments we have made during the period of our
membership.”
What it means: Britain has blinked first over the
divorce bill.
Although she did not mention a figure we could be on
the hook for £50billion.
And we will continue to contribute to EU development,
science and cultural programmes. In other words,
there will not be £350million a week for the NHS.

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