london prime minister theresa may call friday roughly two-year transition britain leave european union also offer concessions divorce deal reactions may speech florence hop inject new momentum brexit negotiations speech show willingness move forward time essence prime minister may statements step forward must translate precise negotiate position uk government barnier also note may address issue future northern ireland relations ireland fifteen months eu referendum government still clear long term relationship eu look like advance seem prime minister listen labour face reality britain need transition basic term provide stability businesses workers manfred weber head centre-right group eu parliament substance prime minister may bring clarity london position even concern theresa may brexit vision leave eu name areas integration currently rebadged uk take limit step toward pragmatic stance initial legal exit eu emerge summer position appear remain deeply conflict many anticipate speech fall short address legacy financial issue eu highlight key move second stage talk best guess degree antagonism two side rise near term miles celic ceo thecityuk financial service lobby group call time-limited transitional period exist rule structure echo industry priorities call businesses side channel similarly since start brexit negotiations clear benefit mutual regulatory recognition positive see british government support principle one best interest party first time today intervention prime minister provide potential route forward current uncertainty cause stall negotiations intention negotiate implementation phase base current arrangements eu-27 welcome step help businesses manage ongoing uncertainty clarity around government wide position welcome commitment two-year transition make even important rapid progress make negotiations catherine mcguinness policy chairman city london corporation firm financial professional service sector plan two years advance 18 months leave uk leave bloc urgent agreement transitional arrangement crucial otherwise firm may well force implement contingency plan unnecessarily tim graf emea head macro strategy state street global market near-term negotiations may likely hamper lack detail offer main items discussion namely irish border question ultimate financial settlement eu right eu citizens stephen martin director general institute directors welcome honesty today speech follow one exist model implications market access uk firm lot honesty need brexit negotiations continue decision immigration regulation example knock-on effect businesses public entitle know trade-offs adam marshall director general british chamber commerce absolute priorities business get trade talk move ensure comprehensive transition period place give certainty company need take immediate investment hire decisions hope prime minister offer jump-start process helen dickinson chief executive british retail consortium prime minister right offer real guarantee eu workers uk nationals eu-27 2019-2021 subject registration requirement however still need practical detail process registration secure status uk government negotiate eu commission preferential reciprocal labor market access across industries like retail put place post-implementation period astonish hear theresa may claim guarantee current right eu citizens live uk current government proposals remove number right eu citizens include right join uk spouse child elderly parent instant view uk 's may call two-year transition brexit