Thursday, September 05, 2019

Why Remainers should want a "No Deal" Brexit Option

Let me start off by saying I voted Remain in the Brexit referendum.  My opinion has not changed, although today I have some reservations that I did not have in 2016.

Despite this, I think the government negotiating the terms of our future relationship with the EU should retain "No Deal" as an option.

The logic for this is the same as the logic behind the nuclear MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) doctrine: it is only by your opponent knowing that they might suffer severe consequences that you can avoid these yourself.  Opponents of No Deal, who rightly point out it would have severe consequences for the UK, are simply showing their naivety in how negotiations are conducted.

In short, taking "No Deal" off the table guarantees a poor deal for the UK.  Who wants that?