THERESA MAY says the UK is uniquely placed to provide the leadership the world needs as she outlines her plan for how the country can grasp new trade opportunities post-Brexit.

In a speech at Mansion House in London planned for tonight, the Prime Minister is expected to say her government is “unashamedly” pro-business and will continue to push for an ambitious EU trade agenda.

She will also highlight how Britain has led the way before and must do so again.

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Mrs May will say: “Not standing inflexibly, refusing to change and still fighting the battles of the past, but adapting to the moment, evolving our thinking and seizing the opportunities ahead; that is the kind of leadership we need today. And I believe that it is Britain’s historic global opportunity to provide it.

“So often over our long history, this country has set the template for others to follow. We have so often been the pioneer – the outrider – that has acted to usher in a new idea or approach. We have that same opportunity today.”

Mrs May is also set to take a swipe at opponents of Brexit by arguing it is a not a backward step but one that offers fresh opportunities.

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She will say: “To show our departure from the European Union is not – as some people have wrongly argued – Britain stepping back from the world, but an example of how a free, flexible, ambitious country can step up to a new global role in which, alongside the traditional trading blocs, agile nation states like Britain can trade freely with others according to what’s in their own best interests and those of their people.

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“This is a new direction – a new approach to the forces of globalisation so they work for all. We will do everything we can to make the UK outside the EU the most attractive place for businesses.”