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<\/p>\nThe language used to discuss Brexit over the past nine months has often been rancorous and divisive, and has generated a whole new vocabulary of Brexiteers and Remoaners. The rhetoric in the letter is far more measured, though not without a certain steeliness \u2013 and the occasional veiled threat.<\/p>\n
\u201cContinuity\u201d and \u201ccertainty\u201d are two recurring themes in the letter. Both words are restated several times. In this respect, one of the letter\u2019s principal aims seems to be reassurance, especially around economic issues. What\u2019s being triggered, the letter would like to suggest, is an orderly and controlled process, and certainly not an uncoordinated scramble.<\/p>\n
Setting the tone<\/h2>\n
The tone is polite but forceful, indicating that May intends to engage fully with the negotiations while also underlining her authority as the spokesperson for the citizens of the UK. The reference to restoring \u201cnational self-determination\u201d in the opening paragraph reads like a direct, if rather formal, echo of the \u201ctake back control\u201d refrain which was so much a part of the referendum debate.<\/p>\n
A letter of this sort is always addressed to multiple audiences at the same time. Although ostensibly written to Tusk, the prime minister is aware that it will be read \u2013 and read into \u2013 by many other interested parties. Part of her job is to find a balance that speaks to all of them.<\/p>\n
At the same time, the choice of words to address European citizens is purposefully inclusive. May talks of \u201cfellow Europeans\u201d, \u201cfriends across the continent\u201d, and \u201cour\u201d continent. But when the letter talks of the importance of the process working to ensure the rights and interests of \u201call our citizens\u201d, it implicitly acknowledges the divisions that will likely come into play for EU nationals living in the UK, and UK nationals living on the continent.<\/p>\n
Divided Kingdom<\/h2>\n
The letter also indirectly references the troubled relationship between the nations of the UK. The prime minister makes a point of stressing that England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be negotiating as \u201cone United Kingdom\u201d \u2013 which also serves to remind anyone reading the letter that there is considerable disagreement on the UK\u2019s collective negotiating position, given that the devolved nations have different priorities<\/a>.<\/p>\n May does however offer the possibility of further consolations for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by implying that Brexit could lead to greater devolution:<\/p>\n When it comes to the return of powers back to the United Kingdom, we will consult fully on which powers should reside in Westminster and which should be devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. But it is the expectation of the Government that the outcome of this process will be a significant increase in the decision-making power of each devolved administration.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Again, the aim here seems to be to try and placate and reassure as many people at the same time as possible. And even as May is addressing an audience at home, she\u2019s also talking to a global one.<\/p>\n Another phrase repeated throughout the letter is the \u201cspecial partnership\u201d. May apparently envisages between the UK and the EU \u2013 clearly echoing the \u201cspecial relationship\u201d between the UK and the US, while at the same time being noticeably different. Perhaps May is trying to signal that the UK does in fact have allies beyond the EU, and that it could perhaps act as a bridge across the Atlantic.<\/p>\n The statement May delivered to the House of Commons while this letter was being delivered was an interesting contrast. Throughout that speech she repeatedly used the word \u201ctogether\u201d to address the audience, trying to portray the process as being inclusive for all those living in the UK. As a BBC\u2019s political journalist tweeted, this was a \u201cConciliatory tone towards EU. Theresa the Dealmaker\u201d.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.theconversation.com\/files\/163193\/width754\/image-20170329-8560-r0wafm.png\")
\nGov.uk<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe veiled threat<\/h2>\n