LONDON: Prime Minister Theresa May unveiled her Brexit blueprint on Tuesday, announcing for the first time that Britain will leave Europe's single market in order to control EU immigration.
In a highly-anticipated speech, May also warned the EU against imposing harsh terms on Britain's historic divorce from the bloc after more than four decades of membership.
She also revealed that Britain would look to strike a new customs agreement with the EU to be able to carve out its own trade deals with the rest of the world.
In a concession to parliamentary critics, the Conservative party leader said lawmakers would also get a vote on any final Brexit agreement negotiated with Brussels.
EU leaders have insisted that single market membership means accepting free movement -- a key issue in Britain's shock June referendum vote to leave the 28-member grouping.
"Brexit must mean control of the number of people who come to Britain from Europe. And that is what we will deliver," May told foreign ambassadors in London.
"What I am proposing cannot mean membership of the single market."
European Union president Donald Tusk said her speech gave a "more realistic" picture of what London wanted.
"Sad process, surrealistic times but at least more realistic announcement on #Brexit. EU27 united and ready to negotiate after Art 50," Tusk tweeted.
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