PM Brexit Speech

I have spent a great deal of time dealing with matters relating to the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework recently so I have not had much chance to comment too much on wider political developments. News broke on Friday that another young  Labour MP had decided to quit resulting in another by-election. This time in Stoke-on-Trent, at least for me a rather easier constituency to visit than Copeland.

Of more significance to the long term prospects for U.K. PLC was the news that the Prime Minister is going to set out more details on Tuesday of what she expects Brexit will look like.  There has been much speculation as to what will actually be announced but it has always seemed clear to me that leaving the European Union must mean leaving its internal market  – often confusingly referred to as the single market. A single market with a single currency for what EU Leaders want to turn into a single Country. Without the UK they might find their dream easier to achieve. It equally follows that if we are to regain control of our own affairs we must no longer be subject to the European Court of Justice. If we are to do our own trade deals and set our own trade tariffs we must leave the Customs Union. The fact the Prime Minister established a new department for international trade rather suggests she fully understands this point. I am looking forward to hearing what the Prime Minister has to say on this defining issue.