The British government has set out its strategy for Brexit in an official policy document presented to parliament.<br /><br /> It follows the vote on Wednesday in the lower house the House of Commons, effectively setting the ball rolling.<br /><br /> That was about process, this was about content: the 77-page White Paper reiterates the government’s 12 priorities in leaving the EU already outlined by the prime minister.<br /><br /> “The White Paper makes clear that we expect to bring forward separate legislation in areas such as customs and immigration delivering a smooth, mutually beneficial exit. Avoiding a disruptive cliff-edge will be key,” the Brexit minister David Davis told the Commons, referring to the danger of a potentially chaotic exit from the EU with no deal at the end of negotiations.<br /><br /> The Brexit white paper: 8 key points you need to knowhttps://t.co/d2WcCE0KqV— BrexitCentral (@BrexitCentral) February 2, 2017<br /><br /> Good to see that the Government have set out that they want to resolve rights of EU nationals in the UK #WhitePaper— Change Britain (@Change_Britain) February 2, 2017<br /><br /> Several opposition politicians accused the government of keeping parliament in the dark over its plans – a charge to which Theresa May has always responded by saying she does not want to give away her negotiating hand.<br /><br /> “For months we’ve been calling for a plan… now there’s a White Paper too late in the day to ask meaningful questions… That is completely unacceptable,” said Keir Starmer, the opposition Labour Party’s Brexit spokesman.<br /><br /> Opinion is divided in parliament over Britain’s future relationship with the EU. Many fear the government’s strategy – seeking a trading relationship outside the single market – endangers the economy.<br /><br /> “This is a mess. It’s a bourach,” Stephen Gethins of the Scottish National Party (SNP) told the Commons, using a Scottish slang word meaning a mess or state of confusion. “It’s going to have an impact on each and every one of us and people deserve better.”<br /><br /> “We shouldn’t be afraid to send the Govt back to the negotiations table if we get a bad #Brexit deal” – chrislesliemp is right. Please RT: pic.twitter.com/4Nm7A10R3n— Open Britain (Open_Britain) February 2, 2017<br /><br /> Theresa May wants to launch the formal talks process with the EU by the end of March.<br /><br /> Her office and the White Paper hint at pushing for a phased implementation, allowing firms time to adapt to life outside the EU.<br /><br /> This has been welcomed by the financial industry. But the government is still accused of being vague, not least over the kind of access it seeks to the single market.<br />
