Thread by @timd_IFG

A few thoughts on today's #nodeal notices - as others have said, these are some of the really juicy ones...

gov.uk/government/col…

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This is the first time, AFAIK, that the Government has accepted in such stark terms that no deal will mean:

- disruption to supply chains
- potential for no flights or bus services between UK and EU, and between UK and other countries (including flights to US)

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- extra red tape, as businesses have to re-register their products/services in an EU country
- real problems at the border, particularly around Dover/Calais
- hassle for individuals (pet passports, motor insurance)

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It's also an admission that:

- business uncertainty will continue - no deal still might or might not happen, we won't know for months
- the Govt cannot manage no deal on its own - it *needs* agreements with the EU, or individual EU members, to mitigate the worst effects

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- there is a fundamental imbalance between how the UK and EU are approaching this: the UK is going to accept EU goods and services based on current standards, but can't compel the EU to do the same

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And this is all without some of the biggest notices:

- as ever, how will the Irish border be managed?
- citizens' rights - how will the Govt implement the guarantee the PM made last week on EU citizens here? And what about the >1m Brits living in the rest of the EU?!

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- free movement - reports over the weekend suggested the UK will have to let it continue for nearly three more years...
- EU trade deals - DIT say that process is going swimmingly, but we're yet to see any proof/contingency for if the EU doesn't help us...

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So big questions still unanswered. But surely, this puts paid to the mantra that 'no deal is better than a bad deal'?!

The Govt is prepared to strike a bad deal to avoid no deal, because there is no way whatsoever that the UK will be ready for it

bit.ly/2QV64cQ

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