British Prime Minister Theresa May warned European Union member states on Tuesday against pushing for a punitive deal over Britain's departure, saying it would be an "act of calamitous self-harm".
"No deal for Britain is better than a bad deal for Britain," she said.
Below are the highlights of her speech:
Ms. May says Britain’s Parliament will be able to vote on the final divorce deal reached between the U.K. and European Union.
She confirmed that her government will put the final agreement to a vote in both houses of Parliament before it comes into force.
She has said she will trigger the formal process to leave the trade bloc by the end of March. The Supreme Court is expected later this month to rule on whether Parliament must have a say in the matter.
Britain will have two years to negotiate a deal after that.
"This agreement should allow for free possible trade in goods and services between Britain and the EU's member states. It should give British companies the maximum freedom to trade with and operate within European markets, and let European businesses do the same in Britain." she said.
"But I want to be clear: What I am proposing cannot mean membership of the single market."
"Because we will no longer be members of the single market, we will no longer be required to contribute huge sums to the EU budget. There may be some specific EU programmes we might want to participate in. The days of Britain making vast contributions to the European Union will end." Ms. May said.
Prime Minister May said, "We see 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. No. The United Kingdom is leaving the European Union and my job is to get the right deal for Britain."
You will still be welcome in this country as we hope our citizens will be in yours.
"I want this United Kingdom to emerge from this period of change stronger, fairer, more united and more outward-looking than ever before. I want us to be a secure, prosperous, tolerant country, a magnet for international talent."
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 goes out into the world to build relationships with old friends and new allies alike.
This government has a plan for Britain. That is why, as we continue to pay the deficit down, we will take a balanced approach by investing in our economic infrastructure, as it can transform the growth potential of our economy and improve the quality of people's lives across the whole country.
