UK Edition
Theresa May: America and Britain will 'lead together again' after Brexit and election of Donald Trump
Theresa May will say that Britain and America can “rediscover our confidence” and “lead together again” in the wake of Brexit and the election of Donald Trump.
The Prime Minister will address the annual congressional Republican Retreat in Philadelphia and say that the UK and USA will “renew the special relationship” now that President Trump is in the White House.
Her address will come just hours before she becomes the first foreign leader to meet Mr Trump on Friday.
Mrs May will present Mr Trump with an engraved Quaich - an ancient Scottish artefact – and give his wife, Melania, a hamper full of produce from Chequers including Bakewell tarts.
The two leaders will hold talks in the Oval Office and are expected to discuss plans for a major post-Brexit trade deal.
Mrs May travels to America as her Government publishes a short Article 50 Bill in Parliament, which formally begins the process of Britain leaving the European Union.
There will now be weeks of debates in Parliament as Labour, SNP and Liberal Democrat MPs attempt to frustrate the process by putting down amendments to Mrs May’s Bill.
The Prime Minister on Wednesday confirmed that she intends to publish a detailed Brexit White Paper after demands by Conservative Remain supporters who had been planning a Commons rebellion over the issue.
Labour was again in chaos over the issue, with suggestions that Jeremy Corbyn could allow Labour MPs to oppose the Government's Brexit Bill in the face of a rebellion by his front bench despite he himself last week saying he would force MPs to vote for Article 50.
Ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, Mr Trump yesterday said the planning for a wall between Mexico and America will begin “immediately”.
He said that construction will begin soon and that Mexico "absolutely, 100 per cent" will reimburse the US for the 2,000-mile structure.
In her speech, Mrs May will compare President Trump’s election to the Brexit referendum, making clear that both votes represent a chance to “renew” America and Britain.
“The United Kingdom is by instinct and history a great, global nation that recognises its responsibilities to the world,” Mrs May will say.
“And as we end our membership of the European Union – as the British people voted with determination and quiet resolve to do last year – we have the opportunity to reassert our belief in a confident, sovereign and global Britain, ready to build relationships with old friends and new allies alike.
“So as we rediscover our confidence together, as you renew your nation just as we renew ours, we have the opportunity – indeed the responsibility – to renew the special relationship for this new age. We have the opportunity to lead, together, again.”
Mrs May will say that developing a stronger special relationship is “important not only to Britain and America but to the world”, Downing Street said.