MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Tuesday, UK Prime Minister Theresa May during her speech on Brexit process realization announced that the United Kingdom would leave the EU single market following exit from the European Union and focus would be made on bilateral free trade deals with the EU member states. Furthermore, London would withdraw from the EU Customs Union and jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.
“On a slender majority the Prime Minister has opted for the hardest of Brexits — leaving the Single Market. I think this will have disastrous effects for the British economy and push Scotland closer to leaving the United Kingdom,” Martin said.
Martin stressed that the UK would be negotiating with the EU on the trade deal from a position of weakness due to inexperience of the government's trade negotiators.
“It will be very difficult to achieve the same quality of deals that they are used to through membership of the European Union,” Martin added.
May announced that the UK would invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which will start Brexit negotiations, by the end of this March. Her announcement came after the majority of votes in a June referendum were given in favor of leaving the bloc, even though voters in Scotland, Northern Ireland and London supported the United Kingdom staying in the bloc. On November 3, the High Court ruled that the UK government needs parliamentary approval before the initiation of Brexit procedure. The final point on that issue will be put on January 24 by the decision of the UK Supreme Court.
