May and Farage's claim of an easy post-Brexit trade deal left in tatters

In a blow to Theresa May's Brexit plans, the European Court of Justice has said that a free trade agreement with Singapore will need the approval of all EU governments and their parliaments.

This opinion from the EU's highest court means any future EU-UK trade deal is also set to need the approval of all 27 EU countries and their parliaments.

This will slow down talks and create political obstacles to any future deal, undermining Theresa May's recent claim that a trade deal with the EU after Brexit could be reached by 2019.

The need for national parliaments to ratify a deal contradicts the idea of the EU dictating to the member states.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary Tom Brake commented:

"Theresa May and Nigel Farage's claims of an easy trade deal with the EU after Brexit have been left in tatters.

"People don't have to accept a bad Brexit deal that will mean fewer jobs, higher prices and less money for public services.

"The Liberal Democrats want you to have your choice over your future.

"You should have your say on the Brexit deal in a referendum, and if you don't like the deal you should be able to reject it and choose to remain in Europe."

The European Court of Justice opinion can be found here

Theresa May insisted last month that a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU can be signed within two years

Nigel Farage and UKIP leader Paul Nuttall have insisted that the Brexit negotiations will be easy because "the EU need us more" according to the Daily Mail