Brexit with no deal will harm EU

AT last there is evidence that the Government is taking seriously the possibility of leaving the EU without a deal. Any responsible person wants a deal and a smooth transition but if the EU wants it otherwise then we should spell out the reality: we leave lawfully in March 2019.

If there is no deal then we do not pay a penny in severance (the so-called divorce settlement); we will be free there and then to make whatever trade deals we wish with wherever in the world we wish; we will immediately impose border controls; if the EU arbitrarily imposes tariffs we will reciprocate; if it imposes restrictions on our citizens living in the EU then we will reciprocate.

Is that really what the EU wants? I doubt it but unless they think we are deadly serious about it, it pays the bloc’s negotiators to posture and procrastinate.