The two key UK issues for Brexit

The Guardian reports:

Theresa May has given her strongest indication yet that the UK’s exit from the EU will lean towards a “hard Brexit”, suggesting that regaining control of immigration was more important than access to the single market.

Addressing the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, the prime minister also promised that all EU workers’ rights would remain protected for as long as she was in power.

Controlling immigration would be the key basis for departure, May said. The government would seek access to the EU’s single market if possible, she said, adding: “But let me be clear. We are not leaving the European Union only to give up control of immigration again. And we are not leaving only to return to the jurisdiction of the European court of justice.”

So they want control of their borders and their law making ability. Not unreasonable.

Controlling immigration would be the primary concern, May said: “We have voted to leave the European Union and become a fully independent, sovereign country. We will do what independent, sovereign countries do. We will decide for ourselves how we control immigration. And we will be free to pass our own laws.”

It will be fascinating to see what sort of arrangement they come to, with the EU. I suspect the EU will play hard ball, but neither side will be negotiating from a position of great strength.

Earlier on Sunday, May promised to trigger article 50 before the end of March 2017, having also announced plans for a “great repeal bill” to incorporate all EU regulations in UK law as soon as Brexit takes effect.

So on Brexit day no law will change, but afterwards the UK Parliament can make changes.