ADDRESSING the Commons after Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Theresa May presented her vision of our country outside the EU.

She talked of optimism and hope and that our best days lie ahead.

I entirely concur and said so when called by the Speaker.

The logical conclusion to triggering Article 50 is that after two years we will once again be in charge of our own destiny.

The rules and regulations that we live under will be made by our democratically elected politicians, not unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats.

That means leaving the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

Wednesday was a truly historic day and I trust that our great nation will now rally behind our most able Prime Minister as we start to negotiate our exit.

Let’s not fool ourselves; it won’t be easy.

Both sides have appointed their toughest diplomats, with red lines threatened.

And, of course, we have the difficult task of persuading 27 countries to sign off any deal.

Mrs May told the House that her team would pursue a “bold and ambitious free trade agreement”, although the free movement of people would end.

Instead, she said, we would “continue to attract the brightest and the best to work or study in Britain, but manage the process properly so that our immigration system serves the national interest.”

So far as security is concerned, Mrs May added we’d continue to work closely with our European allies, meeting our NATO commitment in full and countering terrorism.

Finally, we’d want a reciprocal agreement when it comes to guaranteeing the rights of EU citizens living here and our nationals living there.

The opportunities for our country now are immense and as a free, independent and truly sovereign nation, we have everything to work for.