United Kingdom and Gibraltar European Union membership referendum
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What happens if Britain leaves without a deal from the European Union? This question has occupied London, Brussels and the rest of Europe for months. The British newspaper "The Guardian" has now published secret documents of the British Cabinet in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
The name "Operation Yellowhammer" describes how Britain will proceed in the event of a hard Brexit and a withdrawal without a trade agreement.
"It will not work if too many decisions are unnecessarily extended to the highest levels and not voted on internally," the documents said. It also acknowledged that "probably unforeseen problems and effects of a Brexit" could not be covered by the plan, writes the newspaper.
Twelve risk areas classified
The "Operation Yellowhammer" describes a daily routine in the case of a no-deal brexit. Among other things, every morning an update on the situation in the country to be sent to the ministers and officials. The timetable will run from 7am to the next morning at 5:30 am to summarize the main developments of the night and media reports.
Twelve risk areas also emerge from the documents, which are classified as particularly problematic. They include transport, health services, and food and water supplies.
The twelve risk areas at a glance:
- Disruptions to the transport system
- Disturbances of border crossings
- Disturbances of the transfer of important goods at the borders
- Health services
- Energy and critical industries
- Food and water supply
- Impact on British citizens abroad
- Access to the law enforcement databases
- Banking and industrial services
- Impact on Northern Ireland
- Overseas and Kingdom Areas (including Gibraltar)
- National security
Kent, in southeastern England, has already tested how schools, hospitals and morgues can withstand the burden of 10,000 lorries parked near crowded harbors.
Even the Ministry of Defense has already taken measures for an unregulated Brexit. A bunker was set up under the main Whitehall building to coordinate military responses during a no-deal Brexit. There is the necessary infrastructure and "a team ready to support any action when it becomes necessary," said a ministry spokesman for AFP.
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No third Brexit vote?
Plans were needed for Britain to leave the EU without a deal because Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May had failed with a renewed vote on the Brexit Treaty in the House of Commons.
The EU leaders had granted Britain a postponement until 22 May on Thursday, but only if the UK Parliament agrees to the negotiated but already twice rejected in the lower house next week. If this does not happen, the deadline ends on April 12th.
However, May is considering giving up a third vote. The head of state said on Friday in a letter to the deputies, which was published by a BBC journalist on Twitter.
Further postponement possible
She will refrain from another attempt, if there is not enough support in Parliament next week. One can then ask for a further extension before 12 April, the letter goes on to say. That would, however, mean participation in the European elections.
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Chancellor Angela Merkel also showed herself ready for another summit meeting before 12 April. In the case of May's failure in parliament next week, they will "meet again before the meeting," Merkel said. "Certainly in the presence of the British Prime Minister."
Notes: In an earlier version of the text we translated the name of the secret paper as "Yellow Hammer". "Yellowhammer" is the English name for the bird species Goldammer. We have corrected the corresponding passages. The text also stated that the EU would extend the deadline until 12 April, provided that the UK Parliament approves the deal with Brussels next week. In fact, the deadline in this case ends on May 22nd. We have corrected the date.