The British government has completed its contingency plans for dealing with a situation in which the country could be leaving the European Union without an agreement that could define divorce terms as well as how future relationship would work.
A spokesman of Prime Minister Theresa May said Tuesday that the cabinet had reached a conclusion on its discussions about the no-deal Brexit.
“Cabinet agreed... we have now reached the point where we need to ramp up these preparations. This means we will now set in motion the remaining elements of our no deal plans,” said the spokesman, adding, “Cabinet also agreed to recommend businesses now also ensure they are similarly prepared, enacting their own no-deal plans as they judge necessary. Citizens should also prepare.”
The official said among the plans were allocating enough space on ferries to ensure that Britain would be able to receive medical supplies in time if the country leaves the EU on March 29, 2019 without a deal.
He also said that the government would continue to publish detailed advice for citizens and businesses to inform them about the consequences of the no-deal Brexit and how they should prepare themselves.
The spokesman reiterated, however, that government’s main priority was to go on with efforts to secure a draft Brexit deal signed with the EU last month. The deal, expected to go to the parliament in mid-January, has sparked huge controversies, especially regarding a clause that stipulates how Britain and the EU should deal with their only land border on the island of Ireland once Brexit is in full blast in January 2021.
Britain’s minister of defense also said that the army was ready to help the government with ensuring law and order after a disorderly exit from the EU. Gavin Williamson told the parliament that 3,500 troops could be deployed to the streets of Britain in such a situation.
May, the premier, has warned that options for Britain after a rejection of her Brexit deal in the House of commons would be either a no-deal Brexit or no Brexit at all. She has rejected calls for a second Brexit referendum which could allow the UK to remain in the bloc.