BRITAIN: PM Theresa May Begins Formal Brexit Process, Tells MPs “There Can Be No Turning Back” [VIDEO]

The BBC reports:

Britain’s departure from the European Union is “an historic moment from which there can be no turning back”, Theresa May has told MPs. The prime minister said it was a “unique opportunity” to “shape a brighter future” for the UK. She was speaking after Britain’s EU ambassador formally triggered the two year countdown to the UK’s exit by handing over a letter in Brussels. It follows June’s referendum which resulted in a vote to leave the EU.

In a statement in the Commons, the prime minister said: “Today the government acts on the democratic will of the British people and it acts too on the clear and convincing position of this House.” She added: “The Article 50 process is now under way and in accordance with the wishes of the British people the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union. “This is an historic moment from which there can be no turning back.”

And there’s an important development:

The European Union should look to make sure British people keep the individual rights and advantages of EU citizenship after Brexit, the European Parliament is set to agree. A leaked draft resolution to be put to the Parliament by its chief negotiator following the triggering of Article 50 will call on the EU-27 to preserve freedom of movement and other such rights “within the limits of Union primary law” once Britain leaves.

The Independent reported proposals last year to give British citizens “associate citizenship” of the EU, an idea since personally championed by the Parliament’s negotiations lead Guy Verhofstadt. Mr Verhofstadt is understood to have fought to include the plans to preserve Brits’ EU citizenship rights in the wide-ranging resolution, which is expected to be passed by a vote of all MEPs. The resolution lays out the Parliament’s view on Brexit negotiations at this stage.