SWINDON’S MPs have welcomed the Prime Minister’s plan to make Britain’s exit from the European Union a success.

Theresa May gave her most eagerly awaited speech to date on Tuesday when she outlined her 12 negotiating objectives for Brexit.

For the first time, she confirmed that Britain would be leaving the single market and the customs union, but stressed the UK would seek a free trade deal that provided the best possible access to the market.

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson, who supported leaving the EU, said: “The referendum vote last June was about something more than simply leaving the European Union.

“It was a vote for change: to make Britain stronger and fairer – restoring national self-determination while becoming even more global and international in action and spirit.

“And while it was a vote to leave the EU, it was not a vote to leave Europe – we want to continue to be reliable partners, willing allies and close friends with European countries.

“So in that spirit, we are not seeking partial membership of the EU, associate membership, or anything that leaves us half-in, half-out. We do not seek to adopt a model already enjoyed by other countries.

“We seek a new and equal partnership – between an independent, self-governing, ‘global Britain’ and our friends and allies in the EU.”

Many of the politicians now tasked with overseeing our exit from the EU backed the Remain campaign, indeed the Prime Minister herself said she was not in favour of leaving.

However, when she took office shortly after the vote, Mrs May stressed that there would no longer be a leave or remain divide and that the Government had a duty to make the outcome of the vote a reality.

One MP who campaigned firmly for remain but now sits at the heart of a government delivering Brexit is South Swindon’s Robert Buckland.

Mr Buckland said: “The Prime Minister delivered an outward-looking and positive vision and a clear plan for Britain as we leave the EU.

“Her 12 point plan puts the needs of business, workers and free trade front and central.

“The need to maintain the UK as the best place for science and innovation and the need to continue to co-operate in the fight against crime and terrorism also forms a key part of our strategy as we start the process of Brexit.”

While MPs have rallied around the Prime Minister, some figures in the business community have expressed more caution.

Matt Griffith, policy director at Business West, said that the business community came away from Tuesday’s speech with a lot of unanswered questions.

Issues around market access, transitional arrangements to prevent a ‘cliff edge’ approach to leaving and immigration controls were among the areas of concern he raised.