Theresa May sets Brexit ball rolling

The ball is officially rolling. UK Prime Minister Theresa May has signed the letter that will formally notify European Council President Donald Tusk of Britain’s intention to leave the EU. Looking beyond the Union, she met a Qatari delegation in Birmingham on Tuesday (March 28) to discuss a post-Brexit trade agreement. “My plan for Britain is not just a plan to leave the EU but a plan to build a stronger economy and a fairer society, underpinned by genuine economic and social reform. To make Britain a country that works for everyone, not just a privileged few,” she told those assembled. The PM has signed the letter which will trigger Article 50 tomorrow, starting negotiations for the UK to leave the EU. pic.twitter.com/jHerwJs4g9— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) March 28, 2017 Stepping into the unknown Tim Barrow, Britain’s permanent representative to the EU, will hand May’s letter to Tusk today (March 29) at 1.30pm CET. Afterwards, the prime minister will confirm the triggering of Article 50 and the beginning of an estimated two years of divorce proceedings to MPs. Last June’s referendum on EU membership revealed deep divisions in the UK. May is to tell Parliament this is “the moment for the country to come together.” She’ll also promise to “represent every person in the whole United Kingdom,” during the Brexit negotiations, including EU nationals. The fate of British nationals living in the EU has yet to be clarified. It is unacceptable for EU nationals in the UK and UK nationals in the EU to be used as bargaining chips in Brexit negotiations. #Article50— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) March 28, 2017 Ahead of #Article50 I’m calling on the PM to give an immediate cast-iron guarantee to EU nationals that they can stay in the UK after Brexit pic.twitter.com/AdmsL8ZG9p— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) March 28, 2017