Thread by @remkorteweg

Spent past 2 days w national officials dealing with No Deal "contingency & preparedness".

Lots of good work being done, especially to get biz on board.

But some are frustrated that if Brexit deadline slips beyond 29/3, it will be difficult to keep business minds focused.

/1

Others said, "if there is a 2nd referendum and UK remains a member-state who will cover all the costs that EU governments and businesses are now making to prepare? The UK?"

/2

On that last point, an interesting (albeit unrealistic) suggestion was that article50 should be amended to include notion that the departing member-state should cover costs of the EU's No Deal preparations in event that the departing state revokes article50.

/3

Again others worried abt the impact of a long - 21-month - extension on the level playing field inside the EU27: companies that spent money to prepare for Brexit (at governments' request) would be at a short-term disadvantage to those that failed to heed government advice. /4

And finally, folks worry about the impact on government credibility among citizens & business if Brexit is kicked into the long grass.

Massive campaign under way to build sense of urgency but....

Boy who cried #Brexit wolf???

/end