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The outlines of the long-awaited plan, which will be discussed by a Brexit sub-committee of May’s Cabinet Thursday and are expected to be signed off by the full Cabinet over the coming weeks, envisages the U.K. diverging from a series of key EU rules and regulations “immediately” after the end of any Brexit transition period while retaining the power to go further in other areas at a later stage, according to senior British officials.
One official named three areas where the government wants to diverge after Brexit: agricultural subsidies currently administered under the Common Agricultural Policy, financial services regulation and trade policy.
Another official agreed these three policy areas were being discussed and said imposing restrictions on freedom of movement was also an imperative for the government, as was the desire to spend money recouped from the EU budget on public services such as the NHS.
“Everyone around Cabinet agreed there should be a Brexit bonus,” the second official said.
While the proposal has widespread support in Cabinet, according to the first senior U.K. official, it is likely to spark concern among the “soft” Brexit wing of the Conservative Party over fears it will lead to a hard departure from the bloc that will damage the economy. [...]
Ahead of Thursday’s meeting of her top Brexit team, the prime minister addressed the Conservative Party’s annual Black and White Ball in London, where she struck a defiant tone on Brexit.
May told the audience of Tory donors that leaving the EU must mean “taking control” of Britain’s money, borders and laws and this meant “leaving the single market and customs union and constructing a completely new trading partnership with the EU.”
The plan to diverge from EU regulation immediately after Brexit suggests May is prepared to push for a harder Brexit than recent statements by some of her senior ministers have suggested. [...]