In the case of a tough Brexit, the government in London, according to a media report, even with bottlenecks in food, gasoline and drugs. Previously secret documents revealed the gaps in Brexit planning, writes the Sunday Times newspaper, citing just those government documents.
If the UK does not sign a withdrawal agreement with the European Union, a blockade at the ports and a hard border with Ireland threatened, writes the Sunday Times. The Cabinet Office predicted in these documents the most likely aftershocks of a disorderly EU exit from the UK. Lorries would face delays of up to two and a half days due to customs controls. At the ports, the disruption may take up to three months to improve somewhat. In addition, it could come to nationwide protests.
The Cabinet Office supports the work of the Prime Minister and the Government. According to the report, the Cabinet Office does not list worst-case scenarios, but rather the probable effects of an unregulated EU exit. In addition to the supply bottlenecks are also expected with rising prices.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had announced that he would be leading the UK out of the EU by 31 October, even without an agreement with the EU. An unregulated exit from the EU, which threatens to disrupt trade flows and supply chains, is feared as an economic hit.
He should plunge the economy in the view of the British Central Bank ultimately in the recession. At the end of July, Johnson had said he would accelerate preparations for a contract-free exit in all areas – from ports to banks and hospitals.
Meanwhile, more than a hundred MPs on Sunday called on Johnson to immediately call Parliament back for talks on the Brexit summer break. „Our country is on the verge of an economic crisis, as we rush to a Brexit without agreement,“ it says in a letter from the deputies. „We are facing a national emergency, and Parliament must now be recalled.“
In Britain, voices are saying the Queen may intervene as the true head of state in the Brexit chaos. But since she is not elected, she lacks legitimacy.
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The British Parliament actually comes back from the summer break on 3 September. Afterwards, there will be another break in the meeting: In the parliamentary recess in September, the British parties traditionally hold their annual party days. MEPs are now calling for the Parliament to be reinstated immediately and for no further break until the departure date of 31 October.
Many lower house MPs want to prevent a „no deal“ Brexit. Parliament had failed the exit agreement negotiated by Johnson’s predecessor Theresa May with the EU three times, but also voted against Brexit without an agreement. During his application for the Tory party chairmanship Johnson had therefore not excluded a resolution of the lower house, in order to enforce an unregulated Brexit if necessary past the parliament.
Meeting with Merkel and Macron
The bone of contention is the backstop regulation to the border between the British province of Northern Ireland and the EU country Ireland. Under no circumstances should there be checks again, according to the will of Brussels. Otherwise, there is a fear of a resurgence of violence, as in the decades preceding the 1998 Northern Ireland Peace Agreement.
Johnson will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday in Berlin, and French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, according to news agency PA. He was expected to realize that there had to be a new Brexit deal and that Parliament would not reverse the outcome of the referendum.
Merkel: Germany also prepared for tough Brexit
According to Merkel, the German government is also prepared for a Chaos Brexit without an agreement. „We are prepared for everything, one may say that, even if we do not get a degree,“ said Merkel on Sunday at the open day of the government in Berlin.
„But at least I will try to find solutions until the last day of negotiations.“ She thought it would be better for Britain to leave the European Union with a treaty. But if it does not work, then we are also prepared for the other case. „About the meeting with Johnson she said:“ We are happy about every visit, and you have to talk and you have to find good solutions. „
