Theresa May: Britain will not be 'half in-half out' of the EU after Brexit

Theresa May: Picture credit - PA

Britain will not be left "half-in half-out" of the European Union after Brexit, Theresa May will declare today as she confirms her intention to regain control of the UK's borders and take the country out of the single market.

Signalling she intends to strike a hard Brexit deal with Brussels, the Prime Minister will say she does not want "partial membership of the European Union (or) associate membership of the European Union".

May will insist the UK will "emerge from this period of change stronger, fairer, more united and more outward-looking than ever before"

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And in a message to the other EU member states, she will say Britain will "continue to be reliable partners, willing allies and close friends" in the future.

She will flesh out her vision for post-Brexit Britain in a major speech to foreign diplomats at the Foreign Office.

The Prime Minister will say voters chose to leave the European Union "with their eyes open: accepting that the road ahead will be uncertain at times, but believing that it leads towards a brighter future for their children – and their grandchildren too".

She will say: "I want us to be a secure, prosperous, tolerant country – a magnet for international talent and a home to the pioneers and innovators who will shape the world ahead. I want us to be a truly global Britain – the best friend and neighbour to our European partners, but a country that reaches beyond the borders of Europe too.

"A country that gets out into the world to build relationships with old friends and new allies alike. I want Britain to be what we have the potential and ambition to be: a great, global trading nation that is respected around the world and strong, confident and united at home."

May will add: "We seek a new and equal partnership – between an independent, self-governing, global Britain and our friends and allies in the EU.

"Not partial membership of the European Union, associate membership of the European Union, or anything that leaves us half-in, half-out. We do not seek to adopt a model already enjoyed by other countries. We do not seek to hold on to bits of membership as we leave.

"The United Kingdom is leaving the European Union. My job is to get the right deal for Britain as we do."

May will reveal the dozen "negotiating priorities" she will pursue in the negotiations which will follow the triggering of Article 50 in March.

"We have 12 objectives that amount to one big goal: a new, positive and constructive partnership between Britain and the European Union," she will say.

"And as we negotiate that partnership, we will be driven by some simple principles: we will provide as much certainty and clarity as we can at every stage. And we will take this opportunity to make Britain stronger, to make Britain fairer, and to build a more global Britain too."