What on earth are they thinking? Even the government’s business secretary, Greg Clark, said recently: “No deal would be a disaster, something we’d regret for ever.”
Whatever the outcome, it now seems to me a delay is not only desirable, but inevitable. Under the EU legislation that will come into effect in the event of a no-deal Brexit, flight numbers will be capped at last year’s levels. Carriers will be unable to add new routes or more flights, resulting in thousands of cancellations.
The editor of Which? magazine criticised airlines for not spelling this out to customers. “The lack of warning for passengers is alarming,” they said. “It is the job of airlines to tell passengers what is likely to happen.”
Passengers on flights that are cancelled will automatically be given a full refund, but they will have to compete for replacement seats, probably at a higher price. It seems that only the Hungarian Airline, Wizz Air, has warned British travellers of the no-deal rules.
Iata‘s director general, Alexandre de Juniac, described the proposed cap as “a huge step backwards for all European customers”.
In the event of a disastrous no-deal Brexit, British travellers will be required to have at least six months left on their passports in order to visit EU countries, and everyone agrees airport queues will lengthen. Reciprocal health agreements will cease, and the EU may not recognise British driving licences. A no-deal will also affect reps and staff working abroad.
Just when we need it, there are few signs of the political leadership that is so desperately required.
The 2016 referendum that narrowly divided the country on a vague question should have prompted a measured debate. Instead it has fractured both main parties and paralysed parliament. Corbyn’s half-hearted support for a second referendum ignores the fact that over 70% of his own party would prefer to remain in the EU.
It is clear to me the Leave case was won on a series of lies. The Remain case was lost because we didn’t spell out what we loved about being European. So, ITT will be working hard over the next few weeks to persuade government and the opposition to think again and avoid a no-deal Brexit at all costs.
ITT is calling for a second public vote.
