Government Response

The Government responded to this petition on Tuesday 21st February 2017

The UK voted to leave the European Union in a referendum and the Government will deliver on the verdict.

As set out in the Government’s recent White Paper, we will not be seeking membership of the Single Market, but will pursue instead a new strategic partnership with the EU, including an ambitious and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement and a new customs arrangement.

This agreement should allow for the freest possible trade in goods and services between the UK and the EU’s Member States and should give UK companies the maximum freedom to trade with and operate within European markets – and let European businesses do the same in the UK.

Leaving the EU offers us an opportunity to forge a new role for ourselves in the world: to negotiate our own trade agreements and to be a positive and powerful force for free trade. We are also seeking to achieve continuity in our trade and investment relationships with third countries, including those covered by EU Free Trade Agreements or other EU preferential arrangements. We are exploring with our trading partners ways to achieve this.

The UK has always been a leading voice for free trade in the EU and globally. Outside the EU we will have the complete freedom to pursue this approach and to push for more open global trade, supported by strong global institutions like the World Trade Organization.

Department for Exiting the European Union