Keir Starmer responds to the publication of the latest no deal papers

Keir Starmer MP, Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary, responding to the publication of the latest no deal papers, said:

“The Government’s no deal planning won’t reassure anyone. Ministers have barely scratched the surface of what would need to be done in the event of the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal. 

“Despite all the so-called no deal planning, the Government has yet to admit that a no deal would require a raft of substantial legislation to be rushed through Parliament, crucial stop gap agreements with the EU on matters relating to Northern Ireland and security, and the recruitment of thousands of custom officials. None of this is going to be done or ready by March 2019.

“The truth is the only reason the Tories are talking about no deal is because their civil war on Europe has put any chance of a good deal for Britain at risk. It’s time ministers stopped arguing with themselves and put the national interest first.”

Ends

Notes to editors

·       No-deal Brexit thrusts UK into 'legal vacuum', warns Keir Starmer. Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/aug/26/no-deal-brexit-uk-legal-vacuum-keir-starmer-theresa-may

·       ‘No deal’ Brexit would require 5,000 more customs official. Source: https://www.ft.com/content/53a29e2c-be42-11e7-b8a3-38a6e068f464