ZB ZB
Opinion
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

British PM May will publish Brexit 'White Paper'

Author
Reuters, Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Thu, 26 Jan 2017, 6:46am
British Prime Minister Theresa May (Photo / AP / NZH)

British PM May will publish Brexit 'White Paper'

Author
Reuters, Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Thu, 26 Jan 2017, 6:46am

Prime Minister Theresa May says she'll publish her plan for Britain's exit from the European Union, as described in a speech last week, in a formal 'White Paper' document to allow parliament to scrutinise it.

LISTEN ABOVE: UK correspondent Ben Bland speaks with Rachel Smalley about Theresa May's plan for Brexit

Last week, May said Britain would quit the EU's single market when it leaves the union, charting a course for a clean break with the world's largest trading bloc.

A court ruled on Tuesday that the government must seek parliamentary approval before triggering the legal process of exiting the bloc.

Following her speech and the court ruling, many lawmakers, including some from her own party, said they wanted to see the plans set out in a formal 'White Paper' to facilitate greater scrutiny before a parliamentary vote on triggering .

White papers are policy documents produced by the government that set out their proposals for future legislation.

The government had responded to those calls by saying it believed the publication of a white paper was not necessary.

But, on Wednesday, May changed her position.

"I set out that bold plan for a global Britain last week and I recognise there is an appetite in this house to see that plan set out in a white paper," May told parliament. "I can confirm to the house that our plan will be set out in a white paper."

The Institute for Government, a think tank, said there were no rules about what must be included in a white paper, and that any such document could simply repeat the contents of May's speech.

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you