Brexit. Why do Brits want Out of the EU?

Extraordinary picture prompts speculation that Mel Stride was joking – but The Independent understands it is genuine

A Treasury minister discussed the possible threat of “no food” if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal, his briefing note reveals.

Mel Stride was snapped walking out of a meeting with his officials showing they also discussed the issue of “no Channel tunnel” after a no-deal Brexit.

The extraordinary picture prompted speculation that the financial secretary had allowed the note to be captured as a joke, but The Independent understands it is genuine.

Jo Stevens, a Labour supporters of the anti-Brexit Best for Britain group said it was “shameful” that Theresa May had failed to rule out a no-deal departure.

It is the latest in a series of gaffes which have seen ministers’ confidential briefing notes photographed – and the second to raise the threat to rail links to the EU.

A government source confirmed that both food restrictions and the risk to road and rail links to the continent were discussed with Treasury officials, both at Mr Stride’s instigation.

The government has urged suppliers to stockpile food in the event of the prime minister’s Brexit deal being rejected. Civil servants have also warned that some products may not be available.

Meanwhile, the French government has warned that Eurostar trains would be turned back from Europe if Britain crashes out of the EU without a deal.

The Treasury refused to comment on why the two stark warnings were scrawled on the paper Mr Stride carried out of the meeting with his officials.

Ms Stevens added: “The government clearly know the harm a no-deal Brexit would cause, so it’s shameful they’re still using the no deal threat to scare MPs into backing the prime minister’s bad deal.

“She’s basically trying to hold the people of this country to ransom in order to stay in power.

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain’s parliament is debating whether to support Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal, a decision which will define Britain’s departure from the European Union and set the course for the country’s economy.

The odds look stacked against May winning parliamentary approval for her deal, which has come under fire from all sides, including eurosceptics, supporters of the EU and the Northern Irish party propping up her minority Conservative government.

Below is a running tally of the number of lawmakers who have indicated during the first four days of a five-day debate whether they will support the Brexit deal on Jan. 15.

Lawmakers are entitled to change their mind before the vote, and some who speak are yet to make a final decision on the deal.

There are a total of 650 lawmakers in parliament. Of those, around 100 are government ministers and Conservative Party enforcers, or whips, who are required to support the deal and so are not included in the tally.

May’s Conservative Party has 317 lawmakers. It governs with a working majority of 13 thanks to a deal with the 10 lawmakers of the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party.

Lawmakers who have indicated they will support the deal: 44

Lawmakers who have indicated they will oppose the deal: 115(including 34 of May’s Conservative lawmakers)

Two more European Union states, Poland and the Czech Republic, have said they are preparing emergency laws to allow Britons to stay to work in their countries legally in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
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Berlin authorities already opened an online registration for British nationals while the Italians have promised emergency legislation to exempt Britons from normal immigration laws if the UK crashes out of the EU. France has also sought to reassure the estimated 160,000 Britons of their post-Brexit status and the Dutch last week told Britons they could stay there in the event of a cliff-edge Brexit.
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