AFP, LONDON: Prime Minister Theresa May and senior Cabinet ministers will set out “Britain’s road map to Brexit” in a series of keynote speeches over the coming weeks, Downing Street said yesterday.
The addresses will culminate in a speech by May outlining the government’s ambitions for a future partnership with the European Union after the country’s departure from the bloc in March, 2019.
“Brexit is a defining moment in the history of our nation,” a Downing Street source said.
“We will be forging an ambitious new partnership with Europe and charting our own way in the world to become a truly global, free trading nation.
“As we move along the road to that future, we will set out more detail so people can see how this new relationship will benefit communities in every part of our country.”
The series will begin next week when Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson makes “a rallying cry to those on both sides of the Brexit debate,” according to Downing Street.
May will then detail hoped-for new security arrangements with the EU at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.
A further three speeches are planned for the next two weeks before she makes a second address.
Brexit Secretary David Davis will discuss business standards, Cabinet Officer minister David Lidington will talk about devolution, while Trade Secretary Liam Fox will detail future global trade deal strategy, No. 10 said.
Downing Street also confirmed May and top Cabinet ministers will hold an “away day” committee meeting at Chequers, British leaders’ rural country residence.