Britain to seek unique deal with EU, including immigration curbs
Prime Minister Theresa May and her top ministers on August 31 agreed Britain would seek a unique relationship with the European Union, involving controls on immigration as well as a good trade deal.
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After a summer of political earthquakes followed by a few weeks of holiday calm, May gathered her cabinet team for the first time since she asked them to use the break to come up with options for Britain's future ties with the bloc after a divorce.
For many in the EU, it is not before time. They have given May breathing space to devise a negotiating stance before triggering the exit procedure, but are keen for Britain to begin the talks and end uncertainty that has hurt investment.
"The PM said that there were two related imperatives: getting the best deal for people at home, and getting the right deal for Britain abroad," a spokeswoman for May said.
There was a "decisive view" that the model Britain was seeking would be unique rather than an "off-the-shelf solution".
"This must mean controls on the numbers of people who come to Britain from Europe but also a positive outcome for those who wish to trade goods and services," the spokeswoman added.
May told the cabinet meeting, held at her country residence, that there would be no second referendum and "no attempts to sort of stay in the EU by the back door".
