United Kingdom and Gibraltar European Union membership referendum
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British Trade Minister Liam Fox has warned against abandoning Brexit. Fox said that in an interview with The Sunday Times. If the parliament rejects the exit agreement negotiated with Brussels, the chances would be "50 to 50" that the Brexit does not take place.
The minister of commerce's message is aimed primarily at Brexit hardliners in the British parliament. They reject the agreement of Prime Minister Theresa May, because they are not clear enough about the break with Brussels.
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Liam Fox
"We can be 100 percent sure that we will resign on March 29 if we vote for the Prime Minister's deal," Fox said, adding, "If we do not vote for it, I'm not sure I would give the exit much more than a 50 to 50 chance. "
Additional ferries chartered
May had postponed the scheduled 11 December vote to mid-January because of a clear defeat. It has to reckon with the resistance of around 100 members in its own ranks. If the deal is rejected, however, threatens first and foremost a Brexit without agreements with serious consequences for the economy and many other areas of life.
London is getting more prepared for this case. According to a BBC report, over the past few months the British government has signed contracts with ferry companies amounting to almost £ 108 million (equivalent to around € 120 million) to avoid bottlenecks on the Dover Haven using chartered ferries.
The ferry link between French Calais and Dover in the UK is by far the most important route for merchandise trade between Great Britain and the mainland. There, in the worst case, customs controls would have to be introduced, which could lead to miles of congestion.
Graphic for the Brexit Deal