In her most significant contribution to the Brexit debate so far, British prime minister Theresa May has provided some clarity on the future relationships that the UK hopes to foster and maintain after it leaves the EU.

In a speech to diplomats at London’s Lancaster House, she announced that the UK is leaving the European single market, an arrangement which allows the free movement of people, goods and services across the EU.

Perhaps that is no great surprise given that the British government wants to be in a position to control immigration and also wants to be outside the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. Instead, Prime Minister May said that she wanted to pursue a ‘‘new, comprehensive, bold and ambitious” free trade agreement with the EU.

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