Theresa May must resolve the deep contradictions of her position

The European Parliament will today debate the guidelines on the framework of future EU-UK relations. The Greens/EFA group will use the debate to call on Theresa May to resolve the contradictions in her position. A vote on the parliament's position follows tomorrow.

Greens/EFA co-president Philippe Lamberts comments:

"Prime Minister May is yet to resolve the deep contradictions of her government’s position. It is simply not possible for the UK to leave the single market and customs union and honour the Good Friday Agreement while still avoiding new regulatory barriers. Regulatory divergence would create a border that no magical thinking can erase.

"Something has to give, but it cannot be the stability of peace in Northern Ireland. The only practical solution is for the UK, or at least Northern Ireland, to remain within the single market and customs union. Until the Prime Minister reconsiders her position, it will be very hard for us to engage in any meaningful discussion on what our future relationship may be." 

Philippe Lamberts will speak for the Greens/EFA group in the debate, which you can follow live on the EP site from 9am this morning: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/plenary/en/home.html