EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said today that no-deal Brexit is now the default, and “Preparing for a no-deal scenario is more important now than ever, even though I still hope that we can avoid this scenario.”
He also warned that “Opposing no-deal will not stop no-deal from happening at the end of March. To stop no-deal, another majority will have to emerge.” And he added, “This is the objective of the political consultations that Theresa May has started and we hope, sincerely, we hope that this process will be successful”.
Meanwhile, he also pointed out there are two possible ways to leave the EU. “Number one, an orderly withdrawal based on the agreement that we have built step by step with the UK over the last 18 months.” Or, “Number two, a disorderly withdrawal, leaving the EU without a deal, is a default scenario and there appears to be a majority in the House of Commons to oppose a no-deal.”
