Secret no-deal plot to keep the lights on
Emergency generator import plan
THE Tories have held secret talks to keep the lights on after a “no-deal” Brexit.
Draft contingency plans include a mass import of generators to some areas to ensure sufficient capacity.
It comes as the Government today publishes the first in a series of papers setting out consequences of no deal.
They are thought to cover aviation safety, nuclear power, medicines, rights of Brits living in the EU, haulage and fishing.
But the Tories are said to be hiding Belfast energy plans because they are so “incendiary”.
Business Secretary Greg Clark is believed to have had urgent talks in Dublin on a deal to keep the lights on in Northern Ireland.
With few signs that a deal can be made, Brexit Minister Dominic Raab is today expected to play down the contingency as the duty of “a responsible government, to plan for every eventuality”. And he will urge the EU to be “responsible” and “pragmatic”. He says the UK will take “unilateral action irrespective of EU reciprocation” to assure EU citizens in the UK that they will not be “turfed out”.
However business leaders warn they will speak out if the information is “unclear”. Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer warned: “A no-deal Brexit would be a failure. These documents should not distract us from that.” Jeremy Corbyn insisted: “We’re looking for an economy that invests, gives rights at work, consumer rights, and environmental protection to everybody.”