During a visit to a farm in Wales yesterday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson appeared to have no interest in meeting EU, unless they shift their position on Brexit. He said “if they can’t compromise, if they really can’t do it, then clearly we have to get ready for a no-deal exit, and I think we’ll do it …. it’s up to the EU, it’s their call.”

His spokesman also noted that, “the prime minister made clear that the UK will be leaving the EU on October 31, no matter what,” referring to Johnson’s call with Irish Prime minister Leo Varadkar. And, “the government will approach any negotiations which take place with determination and energy and in a spirit of friendship, and that his clear preference is to leave the EU with a deal, but it must be one that abolishes the backstop”.

On the other hand, the Irish government said “the Taoiseach explained that the EU was united in its view that the Withdrawal Agreement could not be reopened.”

Sterling’s selloff continues today as markets are adding their bets to no deal Brexit. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is insisting that he could get a new Brexit deal with the EU. He said in televised comments that “we’re very confident, with goodwill on both sides, two mature political entities — the U.K. and EU — can get this done”.

And, “it’s responsible for any government to prepare for a no deal if we absolutely have to. That’s the message I’ve been getting across to our European friends. I’m very confident we’ll get there.” He also insisted that the Irish backstop is “dead” along with former PM Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement.

Johnson also emphasized that “Once we leave the EU on Oct. 31, we will have a historic opportunity to introduce new schemes to support farming – and we will make sure that farmers gets a better deal”. And, “Brexit presents enormous opportunities for our country, and it’s time we looked to the future with pride and optimism.”

At this point, there is no sign of EU shifting its position yet. That is, the negotiation for the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement was closed and won’t be re-opened. European Commission also indicated that while an orderly withdrawal is in everyone’s interest, the bloc is well-prepared for a no-deal Brexit.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman said today that John is ready for Brexit talks, only when EU is willing to change its position.

The spokesman said “the PM has been setting out to European leaders the position … that the Withdrawal Agreement with the backstop has not been able to pass parliament on the three occasions it was put in front of parliament. Therefore it needs to change”.

And, “the prime minister would be happy to sit down when that position changes. But he is making it clear to everybody he speaks to that that needs to happen.”

UK Foreign Minister Dominic Raab warned today that the “undemocratic” Irish backstop needs to be removed from the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. He said “we want a good deal with EU partners and friends but that must involve the abolition of the undemocratic backstop.” He added, what Prime Minister Boris Johnson “has instructed and the cabinet has accepted” is a turbo-charging of no-deal Brexit preparations.”

Raab also said UK will be in a better position to negotiate a “good deal” with EU if it crashes out of the bloc before the end of October. The no-deal scenario could provide more leverage for a free trade agreement and resolve long-standing issues. He said “The prospect of reverting and getting a good deal will be easier after we have left if that is the case. The reason being we do as an independent third country and less subject to effectively the demands of the EU as we are now.”

The Confederation of British Industry warned in a report, published on Sunday, that neither UK nor EU are ready for no deal Brexit, as contingency planning study finds. The report criticized that while US has made many proposals “many of its plans delay negative impacts but do not remove them”. EU has “taken fewer steps to reduce the damage of no deal”. And, “very few joint actions to mitigate no deal have taken place, creating a high number of areas where continued UK-EU negotiations are inevitable”. Business efforts have been “hampered by unclear advice, tough timelines, cost and complexity”.

Josh Hardie, Deputy-Director General, said: “. Both sides are underprepared, so it’s in all our interests. It cannot be beyond the wit of the continent’s greatest negotiators to find a way through and agree a deal… It’s not just about queues at ports; the invisible impact of severing services trade overnight would harm firms across the country… Preparing for no deal is devilishly difficult. But it is right to prepare.”

Full report here.