Theresa May has two clear options on Brexit – neither of them easy

David Cameron has indicated that he will resign as British Prime Minister on 13 July 2016, with Theresa May due to take over following her victory in the Conservative Party leadership contest.

Gavin Barrett writes that the new Prime Minister will be faced with an exceptional challenge in handling the fallout from the EU referendum. He suggests that any attempt to rerun the vote would be problematic, but that it is highly unlikely she will be able to secure a deal that restricts EU free movement of persons while retaining access to the single market.

See also the separate EuroppBlog article called 'There are sound practical reasons why free movement should accompany free trade' (see related url) - One of the key issues in the UK’s negotiation to leave the European Union will be whether it is possible for the country to retain access to the single market without accepting freedom of movement. But why do free movement and free trade go hand in hand? Charlie Cadywould explains why in practice there are several sound reasons for maintaining freedom of movement alongside free trade.

ESO: Background information: Tory leadership: Theresa May tops first vote but Fox and Crabb out / Theresa May set to be UK PM after Andrea Leadsom quits http://www.europeansources.info/record/tory-leadership-theresa-may-tops-first-vote-but-fox-and-crabb-out-theresa-may-set-to-be-uk-pm-after-andrea-leadsom-quits/

ESO: Background information: The EU Referendum, 23 June 2016. The United Kingdom and the European Union. The results http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-eu-referendum-23-june-2016-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union-the-results/

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: Europe's offer to a post-Brexit Britain http://www.europeansources.info/record/europes-offer-to-a-post-brexit-britain/

The Guardian, 12.07.16: Theresa May urged to start Brexit talks with EU after summer http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/12/theresa-may-brexit-talks-eu-after-summer-martin-schulz

Deutsche Welle, 11.07.16: [Opinion]: Mother Leadsom's big mistake http://dw.com/p/1JNIY

Blog: Open Europe, 12.07.16: What might May’s vision for Brexit look like? http://openeurope.org.uk/today/blog/what-might-mays-vision-for-brexit-look-like/

Euro|Topics: Debates, July 2016: May to lead Britain out of the EU http://www.eurotopics.net/en/162417/may-to-lead-britain-out-of-the-eu

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 14.07.16: There are sound practical reasons why free movement should accompany free trade http://bit.ly/29RRE9C

In Facts, 20.07.16: U-turn on migration target raises hope of soft Brexit https://infacts.org/u-turn-migration-target-raises-hope-soft-brexit/

Chatham House: The World Today, August-September 2016: Preparing for the UK's Brexit Negotiation https://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/twt/preparing-uks-brexit-negotiation

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