The Cabinet this week debates what kind of a country we wish to be, and how we should be governed once we leave the EU.
The vision of Leave was uplifting. We want to belong to an independent democratic country.
We want to take back control of our laws, our borders and our money.
The people reasserted their sovereignty. They now wish their Parliament to act in their interests. They want the UK Parliament to spend the taxes raised on our priorities. They want the UK Parliament to pass wise and humane laws. They want the UK government to have a confident global vision, acting in the best interests of our country and acting for the wider good.
We did not vote to be some minor state following meekly the EU’s laws and policies. We voted for our country to regain its vote and voice in global bodies. We voted to be friends and trading partners with the EU, but not to be part of its legal system and budgets.
This vision means, as the PM says, leaving the EU and its single market and customs union on 29 March 2019 in accordance with the Treaty.
It means from that date being able to pursue our own agenda in world councils, and to negotiate our own trade deals and partnerships.
It means seeking the best possible access to the EU’s single market, knowing we can have general access through our membership of the World Trade Organisation, where the EU also is a member and accepts its rules .
It means being able to amend and improve our laws whether the EU is doing so or not.
It means welcoming EU students, tourists, investors, people coming to jobs with permits, people wishing to live here on their own resources.
It means having our own fair policy for the whole world on access to benefits and work.
It means having our own fishing and farming policies, seeking to rebuild home output for the home market.
It means spending our money on priorities at home, and on helping those most in need elsewhere in the world.
It means being a force for the good in the world, using our soft power and military capability to promote peace, free trade, democracy and greater prosperity.
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