www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2017/mar/02/john-mcdonnell-sets-out-labours-three-priorities-for-the-budget-politics-live
^Paul Drechsler, the CBI president, has warned that leaving the EU without a trade deal would be “irresponsible”. He will give a speech on this tonight, but in extracts released in advance he says:
Wherever I go across Europe, I hear concerns about the UK leaving without a deal and falling into World Trade Organisation rules.
We should be under no illusions about what this would really mean. A ‘no deal’ scenario would open a Pandora’s Box of economic consequences.
The UK would face tariffs on 90% of its EU exports by value and a raft of new regulatory hurdles. Let’s remember these barriers would hurt firms on both sides of the Channel.
Here in the UK and across the continent firms are worried about this ‘worst-case scenario’. Some are getting ready for it to reduce economic damage. Some won’t prepare because they’re hoping for a deal. But in reality many firms can’t prepare because the cost of change is simply too high to even consider it.
The prime minister is confident that a deal can be achieved - and we agree.
But to those whose first and only choice is for Britain to walk away without a deal, I say you’re not only wrong but irresponsible
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Peers have been sent legal advice saying Brexit will need a further act of parliament. It has been sent to them by Open Britain, a group campaigning for a “soft” Brexit, ahead of a vote next week on an amendment to the article 50 bill saying parliament should get a vote on the final Brexit deal. The advice (pdf), drafted by three QCs, Sir David Edward, Sir Francis Jacobs and Sir Jeremy Lever, says “actual withdrawal from the EU will need to be authorised by parliament in a future Act, once the outcome of the negotiations, and the impact on individual and business rights, is known.” Open Britain says it shows that, if the government does not accept the amendment, it could face another legal challenge over Brexit^.