British Prime Minister Theresa May called Tuesday for a clean break from the European Union, indicating that her country plans to leave behind the most essential elements of the bloc. After refusing for months to give “a running commentary” on Britain’s negotiating strategy, May’s speech offered the clearest indication of the country’s departure plans, which were set in motion by last June’s referendum on Britain’s E.U. The British pound climbed on Tuesday following drops over the previous several days as excerpts of May’s speech began to circulate. The pound’s value jumped when May said that she would give Parliament final say on Britain’s new deal with the European Union. “We are leaving the European Union, but we are not leaving Europe,” she said.

Source: Washington Post January 17, 2017 11:18 UTC