Ceci n’est pas une no deal, says Macron

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Is the government really changing its policy on planning for a no deal? That question isn’t simple to answer, not least because it’s not entirely clear what the government’s policy is on this matter: Philip Hammond has said the government won’t spend the necessary money until it needs to, while Theresa May says whatever money needs to be spent will be spent. But the pressure has been rising from Brexiteers for ministers to make real plans and produce real money to ensure that those plans are implemented. This isn’t just so May can suggest to European leaders that Britain really does believe that no deal is better than a bad deal (as a sensible government wouldn’t want to make a mess of a no deal situation by, say, not preparing the necessary infrastructure to stop Dover from melting), but also because some Brexiteers really think that a no deal situation would be fine on its own terms.