Spotlight: Brexit roadmap still vague amid endless tussle

Over two months following the Brexit vote, a clear plan for Britain's departure from the European Union (EU) is still nowhere in sight as feuding British politicians are at odds over the EU single market access.

British cabinet ministers are splitting over whether Britain should remain in the single market of the EU, London's major trading partner, at the price of an open border for EU workers.

Hardline Brexiteers prefer a complete exit from the internal market but those who advocate a slower and softer exit want to stay in the 28-member market to cushion the blow for the world's leading financial center.

British Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond is reportedly demanding his country retain access to the EU single market after the exit.

But Eurosceptic ministers such as Brexit Secretary David Davis and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox are calling for an entire departure from the bloc.

Leaders of the EU member states have earlier warned the UK that there will be no "cherry picking" in the Brexit negotiations.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has ruled out any possibility for Britain to secure access to the EU's internal market while limit freedom of movement at the same time in her tough response to the union's first exit since its foundation nearly six decades ago.

Uncertainty also remains regarding whether a UK parliamentary vote should be held on Brexit before opening negotiations to formally trigger Britain's withdrawal from the EU.

Opponents of Brexit insist that the EU referendum result, which is advisory in nature, should be approved by a vote in the Commons before the formal mechanism to leave the EU is triggered.

Remain-supporting politicians including Labour leadership candidate Owen Smith has suggested that parliamentary vote could be used to stop Brexit.

The former UK shadow work and pensions secretary has added another twist to the already complex issue by vowing to block formal negotiations with EU leaders until the British government offers a second EU referendum or calls a general election to approve its final Brexit deal.

Amid pressure to end the government split, Prime Minister Theresa May called an extraordinary cabinet meeting on Wednesday, when ministers are expected to spell out what Brexit means for the single market and hammer out a clear exit plan.

May has pledged to "make a success" of Brexit but ruled out a swift trigger of the formal exit mechanism earlier than the end of this year. Endit