Why I think a no-deal Brexit is the best remaining option

There are about a dozen Cabinet members now who think the best strategy is to go full speed in preparing for a no-deal Brexit – if a better EU offer comes along, great, but if not then no-deal is better than the alternatives. In my Daily Telegraph column I say why I think they are probably right. It’s not an option that anyone can, or ought to be, enthusiastic about. All of the disruption (and there would be plenty) would stem from political failure on both sides. But it would be better than the alternatives.

We are (or were) very close to an agreed deal. If Brussels just granted the UK the ability to walk away from its proposed future Brexit talks in one piece (as Nato and even EU members can walk away) then May’s deal would be approved by Parliament. Panic over. But the EU is intent on a backstop clause that means that, if the UK walks away, it leaves Northern Ireland behind. The