Boost for Brexiteers as EU blinks and launches plans to make No Deal work
BREXITEERS won a huge boost today as Brussels blinked over plans to manage a No Deal outcome.
The EU will announce proposals this week which will keep planes in the air and goods flowing across the Channel until at least 2020.
It means there won't be a "cliff edge" exit even if we leave the EU in March without a full deal with Brussels.
The news is a victory Brexit-backing MPs who insisted all along that Eurocrats would act to avoid total chaos in a No Deal scenario.
Jacob Rees-Mogg told The Sun: "This fits in with the idea of a managed No Deal."
Eurocrats will announce a series of emergency measures on Wednesday to reduce the impact on both sides' economies.
The package, which will be in place for six to nine months, covers areas such as citizens' rights, banking, transport, customs checks, personal data and climate policy.
A senior EU diplomat said European states were now "throttle full down on preparing for No Deal" amid fears Theresa May's deal will fall in Parliament.
The raft of measures will include waiving any requirement for Brits to get visas - so holidays on the continent need not be disrupted.
They are intended to make sure that links between the UK and EU will remain intact throughout a No Deal process.
France has vowed it would move to ensure the "free flow of traffic" from Dover to Calais and through the Channel Tunnel.
Ireland said it is hiring 1,000 extra customs officers to help keep the border open.
And the Netherlands is recruiting 950 officials to safeguard the key trade route between Rotterdam and British ports.
Senior Brexiteers said the announcement proves Britain can get through a No Deal outcome unscathed.
Ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith told The Sun: "The EU are now making plans. Jeremy Hunt is right that we work for managed No Deal."
Mr Rees-Mogg added: "I think this fits in with the idea of a managed No Deal which I favour and would be willing to pay for."
And Brexit-backing Labour MP Kate Hoey said Theresa May should be "putting all effort" into a successful No Deal scenario.
But EU officials insisted the emergency measures wouldn't be a sufficient replacement for the full withdrawal agreement currently on the table.
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One said: "This isn't replicating membership or a transition period.
"These measures will only remedy the most disruptive elements of Brexit in case of No Deal - there will still be disruption."
An EU minister added: "We’ll do everything we can to avoid the worst, but the closer we get to this deadline the more likely a chaotic exit becomes."
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