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The world reacts to Theresa May’s Brexit speech and the PM seems to have pissed off everyone [TWEETS]
Theresa May’s 22 September speech in Florence has failed to soothe the troubled Brexit waters. Straddling awkward middle ground between the two warring factions of her own party, May tried to keep everyone happy. But in doing so, it seems she has pleased no-one.
Credit rating
Within hours of May’s address, international credit rating agency, Moody’s, downgraded Britain’s rating to its lowest ever level. The agency said of the UK, now positioned at AA2 that:
While the government seeks a ‘deep and comprehensive free trade agreement’ with the EU, even such a best case scenario would not award the same access to the EU single market that the UK currently enjoys.
Opposition reaction
With warning signs being given from the financial sphere, several EU and Labour figures have been quick to point out the weakness of May’s position. First off, Shadow Brexit Secretary, Keir Starmer, had this to say:
PM didn't need to go to Florence to accept that Labour is right about Brexit transitional arrangements. Not much else in the speech.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 22, 2017
Meanwhile, Chief Brexit Negotiator for the European Parliament, Guy Verhofstadt, praised May for admitting that a minimum two-year transitional period will be needed. This, of course, represents a climbdown from her previous position. But he poured scorn on her suggestion of an EU migrant registration scheme, saying it was “out of the question”.
Attacked from both sides
In issuing nothing but vague statements [paywall] for months, then delivering this lame duck speech, May has managed to anger both Leavers and Remainers on Twitter.
Many were quick to recognise the shambles Brexit has become:
May pauses Brexit, fuelled by Boris optimism. £40bln divorce bill cited. Farage furious. Seen the future & it works? This one will run & run pic.twitter.com/tuzZZRjpno
— Mark Beech (@Mark_Beech) September 23, 2017
Post brexit Britain. Our currency is now home made jam. Blue passports are fired out of Big Ben. The country is in ruins. Europe laughs.
— TechnicallyRon (@TechnicallyRon) September 23, 2017
Nigel Farage was not best pleased:
Theresa May's Brexit vision is that we Leave the EU in name only. All areas of integration we have currently will be rebadged.
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) September 22, 2017
But neither was this Remainer:
#Brexit is the tale of how an clique of the rich elite have ruthlessly whipped up fears about immigration to slash their tax burden.#Remain
— Nick Reeves #FinalSayForAll #FBPE (@nickreeves9876) September 22, 2017
While Nick Robinson of the BBC summed it up like this:
So, Brexit now means – paying what we pay now, abiding by same EU rules & allowing in as many EU migrants for 2 years after we Leave in '19?
— Nick Robinson (@bbcnickrobinson) September 22, 2017
Quite simply, the PM looks increasingly friendless. Not to mention bereft of ideas. It is very difficult to see how she continues from here.
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Featured image via David Mirzoeff
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