May: Britain is ‘prepared’ if Brexit negotiations fail

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British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday that Britain's government wants Brexit negotiations to succeed but is preparing for a scenario in which they could fail, during her closing speech at the Conservative Party annual conference in Manchester.

"I believe it is profoundly in all our interests for the negotiations to succeed but I know that some are worried whether we are prepared in the event that they do not. It is our responsibility as a government to prepare for every eventuality," she told members.

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May addresses the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, October 4, 2017. /Reuters Photo

May also said she understood the EU citizens living in Britain who felt "unsettled and nervous." "Let me be clear that we value the contribution you make to the life of our country. You are welcome here and I urge the negotiating teams to reach agreement on this quickly because we want you to stay," she said.

During her long speech, May gave little information about leaving the EU with no new detail. Analysts said it is a sign that May really wants to emphasize her domestic agenda.

Hence, for her domestic agenda, she promised to have a new price cap on the British energy market which would apply to all standard variable tariffs and to renew or build more council houses.

She also announced to review of how the National Health Service (NHS) and other public services deal with people suffering mental health problems and review of student university fees and loans.

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May coughs as she addresses the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, October 4, 2017. /Reuters Photo

A major theme of May’s speech is the “British dream,” in which she meant "life should be better for the next generation." She said “for many Britons, the British dream feels increase out of reach,” but she vowed to renew the dream.

“This is a Conservatism I believe in, a Conservatism of fairness and justice and opportunity for all, a Conservatism that keeps the British dream alive for a new generation,” she told the cheering crowd.

May also apologized for party’s poor showing in June’s national election saying "I led the campaign, and I am sorry." She acknowledges her campaign was “too scripted, too presidential.”

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May addresses the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, October 4, 2017. /Reuters Photo‍

May finally called on her party to unify. “Let us shape up and give the country the government it needs,” May said.

The prime minister’s speech was interrupted early by comedian Simon Brodkin, also known as Lee Nelson. He approached the front of the hall and handed May a P45 note, a letter given when people's jobs are terminated. May took the letter and placed it on the floor.

She stopped her speech as officials surrounded the man and escorted him from the hall, while he continued to shout protest words. She returned with a joke aimed at the Labour leader, saying "It's Jeremy Corbyn who should be given a P45".

A member of the audience hands a P45 form (termination of employment tax form) to Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May as she addresses the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, October 4, 2017. /Reuters Photo

May struggled to finish the speech because of a sore throat. She repeatedly coughed and lost her voice. With the party members applauding to keep May going, she had to stop on several occasions to drink water.

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Source(s): AFP ,Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency