BRITAIN is better prepared now than it has ever been to exit the EU without a deal, says Redditch MP Rachel Maclean.
She was speaking out after a leaked Government dossier revealed fears of shortages of food, medicine and fuel should the UK crash out on October 31 without a deal.
The Government’s secret ‘Operation Yellowhammer’ documents were leaked to the Sunday Times last week.
In addition to the shortages it also warned of months of chaos at the ports and raised fears of civil unrest and the possible closure of two oil refineries with consequent job losses.
Despite this Mrs Maclean defended the Government’s state of readiness.
“The Government is making all necessary preparations to make sure we are ready to leave the European Union by October 31, whatever the circumstances,” said Mrrs Maclean, who said she herself would prefer to leave with a deal.
“The UK is better prepared now than we have ever been to manage the potential impacts of leaving without a deal, but there is still more to be done and that’s why the Government has stepped up preparations to ensure we are fully ready for Brexit.
“The Government will continue to accelerate this work as we move towards exit day.
“Unlike other parties, I am respecting the wishes of 62 per cent of voters in Redditch who voted to leave the EU.
“Brexit is an incredibly divisive issue and it’s no surprise to anyone that I’m not going to please everyone, but we must respect and deliver on the outcome of the 2016 referendum.
“My preference is that we leave with a deal on October 31, and this remains the Government’s priority.
“However, if this cannot be achieved, then we must leave without a deal.
“Three years after voting to leave the EU, it’s now time we deliver on this result.”
Mrs Maclean also ruled out any notion that she would be prepared to go against the Government if a vote of no confidence was called, and would be totally opposed to the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, getting the keys to No10 Downing Street.
“Under no circumstances would I vote against the Government in a vote of no confidence.
“I would never vote to allow Jeremy Corbyn to get anywhere near No10,” she said.
