Theresa May dodges BBC News question on UK being better off outside EU

Theresa May takes questions from listeners on BBC Radio 5Live. Photograph: BBC News. - Credit: PA

Theresa May still will not reveal whether she believes the UK would be better-off under her Brexit deal than as a member of the EU.

Rather than give a yes or no answer she instead opted to say that it would be ‘different’.

She told BBC Radio 5 Live listeners: ‘The first thing is it’s going to be different, and I believe we can build a better future outside the European Union.’

She added that she had not claimed during the EU referendum campaign that it would be a bad choice if we left.

MORE: ‘Don’t blame us – it’s not Brexit!’ says Brexiteer

https://twitter.com/bbc5live/status/1065963711150452736

‘I actually said the sky won’t fall in and it will be a different world for us outside of the EU, but it will be a good one.

‘I believe we can build on what we are doing. I genuinely believe there is a bright future for this country and the best days lie ahead of us.’

The prime minister also dodged questions on whether or not she would resign if the deal was voted down.

She said: ‘This isn’t about me. As I’m sitting here, I’m not thinking about me, I’m thinking about getting a deal through that delivers for the people of this country.’

MORE: Raab: ‘Staying in the EU is better than May’s Brexit plan’

May also conceded that MPs have the power to stop Brexit through a final say referendum, although she said it was not something she was considering.

She explained: ‘It’s not one of my options, it’s one of the things I’m trying to point out to people.

‘There are MPs in the House of Commons who want to frustrate Brexit and want to stop Brexit. I just think it’s important that people know that.

‘I’m clear that we will be leaving the EU on March 29 next year. I want to make sure that those who are trying to frustrate what people voted for aren’t able to do so.

‘But I want us to leave on a good deal for the UK and I believe that’s what we’ve got.’

MORE: MP gets under the skin of May with question on democracy

Anti-Brexit campaigners seized on her remarks as a sign of hope for People’s Vote campaigners.

Best for Britain champion David Lammy MP said: ‘This is a huge concession from the prime minister. Even she can’t bring herself to say Brexit will make the country stronger than staying in the EU. When the architect of a new building cannot endorse the design, it is time to abandon the project.

‘The deal is anti-democratic and no deal is a disaster that no parliament in its right mind would allow. Faced with such appalling options, and a clear as day shift in the public mood to backing our current EU membership, it’s only right that the public are given the final say – whether Theresa May is prime minister or not.’