The newly elected British Prime Minister Theresa May, speaking ahead of the G20 meeting, which is to be held in China, has ruled out the possibility of a stricter point based immigration system for the European Union citizens. Her remarks could anger the Brexit supporters, who watered tougher immigration rules. Prominent brexiteers, Michael Gove and Boris Johnson both previously voiced their support for Australian style point based system that would have been very strict, especially for low wage and low-skilled workers. Ms. May indicated that there could be an exception for the EU citizens even if the immigration system is toughened, “One of the issues is whether or not points-based systems do work. What I’m saying is that on the question of movement of people coming in from the European Union, British people didn’t want the free movement to continue as it has in the past”

With her softer stance towards EU immigration, Theresa May could successfully strike a deal with the European Union, which would help Britain to retain its access to the single market. In recent days, both Japan and the United States have pressed upon Britain the importance of the access to the single market. Japan’s foreign affairs ministry warned in a memo, posted on the website that the Japanese banks and other companies could leave the United Kingdom if access to the EU single market isn’t retained. The U.S. president Barrack Obama called for careful handling of the Brexit negotiations.