Politics
21:19, 03-Oct-2018
UK PM defends her Brexit plan, calls for unity
Updated
20:50, 06-Oct-2018
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British Prime Minister Theresa May defended her Brexit plans on Wednesday, but cautioned that she would rather leave without a deal than accept the carve up of the United Kingdom.
In a speech made on the last day of this year's Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, May listed the multiple benefits her Brexit deal would bring.
"So this is our proposal. Taking back control of our borders, laws and money. Good for jobs, good for the Union. It delivers the referendum, it keeps faith with the British people," she said. "It is in the national interest."
May also showed her determination to stand up against the EU while reminding people of the consequence of a no-deal Brexit.
"Britain isn't afraid to leave with no deal if we have to," May said. "But we need to be honest about it. Leaving without a deal, introducing tariffs and costly checks at the border, would be a bad outcome for the UK and the EU."
She therefore urged her squabbling Conservative Party to "stick together" over Brexit strategy as Britain was entering the "toughest phase" of negotiations with Brussels.
"If we stick together and hold our nerve, I know we can get a deal that delivers for Britain," May stressed.
The British Prime Minister also ruled out the possibility of a second Brexit referendum, saying the second referendum would be a "politicians' vote."
"Politicians telling people they got it wrong the first time and should try again... think for a moment what it would do to faith in our democracy," she said, referring to the "latest plan of holding a second referendum" which was called the "People's Vote."
With only six months before Britain has to officially exit the European Union, many hold a bleak view about the prospect, especially when different views exist on how the breakup should take place, not merely between May's Conservative Party and its opponent Labour Party, but also among the Conservative Party itself.
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(With input from agencies)