May said, “There were those who said that reaching a Brexit agreement that worked for both sides was an impossible task. From the start I rejected that council of despair and set about negotiating a deal that worked for the UK and the EU, one that delivered on the result of the referendum and set us on course for a prosperous future, while maintaining a close relationship with our friends and neighbours.”May said the agreement “delivers on the result of the referendum and sets us on the course for a prosperous future”.
May said, “I want to take a few moments to speak directly to the British people and explain what this deal means. First, control of our borders. Not an emergency break on free movement or a promise of greater transition controls in the future, but an end to the free movement of people in full once and for all. That is what this deal delivers.” Adding, “It will allow us to put in place an immigration system based not on where people come from, but on the skills and talents they have to offer.
That is in our national interest. Second, control of our money. Not a reduction in our membership fee, not a bigger budget rebate, but an end to vast annual payments being sent to the EU. That is what this deal delivers. Instead we will be able to spend taxpayers’ money on our priorities. Like the 394 million pounds per week of extra investment we are putting into our NHS (National Health Service). That is in our national interest.”
EU leaders gathered at a summit in Brussels and approved the deal, which sets out the terms of Britain’s departure on March 29 and sets a framework for future ties.
