Theresa May is expected to use the most important speech of her premiership to confirm that Britain will be leaving the single market while insisting that it wants to remain “the best friend” to European partners.

In remarks that critics will cite as evidence that the government is pursuing a hard Brexit, the prime minister will say there is no option that leaves Britain “half-in, half-out” as she sets out 12 key priorities for the EU negotiations. 
Critically, she will insist there will be no compromise over the ability to control borders and regain sovereignty. 

Britain will leave the EU’s single market when it exits the European Union, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday, putting an end to speculation that London might try to seek a “soft Brexit”. In a long-awaited speech in which she sought to define the country’s future as a global player that aims to trade freely far beyond Europe, May said the final exit deal would be put to parliament for a vote.
That promise helped revive the pound on currency markets. Sterling, which has traded at the lowest levels against the U.S. dollar for more than three decades, rose during May’s speech hitting a day high.May said she would seek an equal partnership with the EU but that she would not adopt models already used by other countries that have free trade agreements with the bloc.