Why I’d Prefer No Deal

I have this theory that us British like the idea of chaos. Maybe it isn’t unique to us Brits, but it comes across in a variety of ways, exemplified this year over the excitement of panic buying toilet roll, but also in the annual hope for “snowmaggedon” – in which some seem to be excited to see how we’d cope with 2 metres of snow falling. I profess to being in this group.

This isn’t why I am keen on no deal. I’m not really keen on no deal – I think it is a dreadful idea, a dreadful outcome – yet I believe that all outcomes from the Brexit vote are necessarily negative for the UK, especially economically.

However, we need to think long-term. At least us remoaners do need to think long-term, and the long-term goal for me is rejoining the European Union – as I’d like to think it is for most of those that voted remain.

Plus, democracy called – we do actually need to give Brexit a chance, and I want the opportunity to say “I fucking told you so”, repeatedly, just as I am relishing saying the same over the election of probably the most incompetent Prime Minister ever – at least since Anthony Eden anyway.

The unfortunate lack of definition of what Brexit actually is prior to the referendum makes it difficult to know how best it could be represented in reality, however I feel that a no-deal Brexit, and the dramatic severing from the European Union this entails and all the likely chaos, is the best way to represent Brexit.

Own it, Brexiters

No deal Brexit means that Brexiters have to own Brexit.

Any form of deal, and we will be listening to Brexiters moaning that “remoaners stole Brexit” or something along those lines as soon as the failure of Brexit is reported.

Brexiters need to be satisfied that Brexit is as Brexity as possible. Brexiters need to own this.

When the inevitable argument for re-joining the EU occurs in some future time, the argument needs to be between whether we re-join or not – if we have some form of Brexit deal, then the inevitable argument will be between re-joining or no-dealing.

Brexiters will argue that Brexit wasn’t fulfilled, if we give them opportunity.

Proof of failure

Also the economic cost of no deal Brexit will be greater, and more widely felt by more of the British public. The cost of going to Europe will be more expensive, travelling that little less smooth – this will be easier for people to feel and appreciate in a no deal scenario.

The “shock” of no deal means that people will notice price increases in at least imported food stuffs. They may notice other products not available, they may notice customs charges on what they buy directly from Europe.

News stories in January will focus on the chaos. In theory, it should be excellent publicity for the idea that Brexit might well be wrong, for at least some of those not yet persuaded.

I appreciate that I am wishing here for something that will negatively affect people – wishing for the option that makes people poorer than the other option.

I know there will be chaos. Our ports are already struggling under the weight of no-deal preparations – the extra time, paperwork and cost will inevitably lead to chaos at ports, at least for the first few months.

This is all part of the long game. I fully believe that Britain is far better off in the EU, but in 2016, not enough people agreed with me. So I’m looking ahead to when we can build an argument for re-joining the EU – or at a minimum re-joining the Single Market, which to be fair I’d accept.

I believe that Britain re-joining the EU will be the best outcome for Britain, but the case will need to be made. I want Britain to re-join the European Union as soon as democratically possible, and this will not happen until enough people are persuaded that Brexit was a mistake.

For me, no deal, and the chaos and economic damage that I expect it to bring, will be the quickest way to persuade a sufficient mass of the British public that we have made a mistake – and that re-joining the EU is best for Britain.

So, with reluctance and absolutely no joy at all, I hope for a no deal outcome. And get to watch a bit of chaos. You want a bit of chaos too, don’t you?