Cabinet meets for most important Brexit talks since referendum

Prime Minister Theresa May
Prime Minister Theresa May

Prime Minister Theresa May is today chairing a Cabinet meeting on Brexit to discuss the best approach to the UK’s exit from the EU.

The talks at Chequers - the prime minister’s country residence - are being billed as the most significant talks since the EU referendum result.

Each minister is reporting back after having been asked over Summer to identify opportunities for their departments and how they will “make the most of Brexit”.

It is expected that many Cabinet colleagues will disagree with each other on issues such as access to the single market after Brexit.

Despite the increased focus on Brexit, Ms May has stood by her commitment not to initiate the Brexit process until next year.

A spokesperson for Ms May also told The Telegraph on Saturday that she did not agree with arguments that MPs would be required to give approval before Article 50 could be activated.

The spokesperson said: “There is no legal obligation to consult parliament on triggering Article 50 - that position has been well set out.

“Parliament will be involved, it will have a say, opinions will be aired.”

Chuku Umunna MP, chair of the pro-EU group Vote Leave Watch, insisted parts of the negotiations would have to come before MPs.

He told The Guardian: “Parliament will have to repeal the 1972 European Communities Act which provides for primacy of EU law.”

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