MPs have reacted angrily to Theresa May’s key objectives for withdrawing the European Union.

In the Prime Minister’s first speech on her objective for withdrawal yesterday, Mrs May announced Britain will leave the European single market and seek a “bold and ambitious” free trade agreement to allow it

to continue trading with the EU.

MPs in Brighton and Hove criticised the plans as reckless and ill-thought-out.

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, whose party is campaigning to maintain free movement and single market access, said the PM was sacrificing the economy for ending free movement of people.

The Green Party co-leader said: “The Prime Minister’s plan – to yank us out of the single market while attempting to negotiate bilateral trade deals – is a reckless gamble.

Not only will this lose British businesses – many of them small and medium sized – membership of a market of 500 million customers, but we run the risk of losing the crucial environmental and

social protections that come with the single market.

“The devil will be in the detail but the early signs are of a Prime Minister willing to throw this country off the brexit cliff edge to appease some of the more

extreme Brexiteers in

her party while the rest of us suffer the consequences.”

Peter Kyle, MP for Hove, also criticised the PM, accusing her of being “extremely careless”.

He said he was worried for local businesses in Brighton and Hove.

He said: “There was nothing in the speech about people coming to visit Brighton, people studying in our universities or what will be available to local businesses after we leave the EU.

“Her single priority is to leave as rapidly as possible, to throw all of the dice up into the air and we are now left to guess where they will land because she gave no certainty about what will come next.”

Mrs May also announced MPs will be able to vote on the deal after it is made, before it comes into

force, as well as her plans to end unlimited immigration.

However Simon Kirby, the MP for Brighton Kemptown, welcomed Mrs May's speech.

He said: “I understand that many people in Brighton & Hove are still disappointed with the result of the referendum last year but the country voted to leave the European Union, and it is the duty of the Government to make sure that this happens.

“As Economic Secretary to the Treasury, I was proud to represent the UK Government at the Asian Financial Forum on Monday in Hong Kong, reassuring financial institutions and other Governments that Britain remains very much open for business.

"I will continue to do all I can to make sure that we get the best possible Brexit and forge relationships to build a truly global Britain.”