The prime minister, Theresa May, has welcomed agreement by the 27 other countries in the European Union to a transition period to help businesses adjust after the UK leaves. “As Ireland ... we’re not the ones who are leaving so we are not under time pressure in that regard,” Varadkar told reporters. The agreement in principle by the political leaders of the remaining countries would allow British firms to retain access to the single market until the end of 2020, meaning the UK would in effect remain a member but without a vote. But it is unclear whether this will be enough for May and her cabinet colleagues who want Britain out of the EU before March 2019.
The prime minister, Theresa May, has welcomed agreement by the 27 other countries in the European Union to a transition period to help businesses adjust after the UK leaves. The agreement in principle by the political leaders of the remaining countries would allow British firms to retain access to the single market until the end of 2020, meaning the UK would in effect remain a member but without a vote. But it is unclear whether this will be enough for May and her cabinet colleagues who want Britain out of the EU before March 2019.