LONDON, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Britain is prepared to take unilateral action to maintain continuity with European Union (EU) countries, irrespective of whether the EU reciprocates, Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab said here Thursday.
In his first major keynote speech since replacing David Davies as Britain's main Brexit negotiator, Raab said preparations are being made for what the British government says is the unlikely event that Britain is unable to agree the terms of a new relationship with the EU.
He said the government had no plans to use the British army for food supplies if there is a no-deal situation.
Raab's speech in Whitehall coincided with the publication of the first 25 of 80 technical notices advising businesses and citizens what they need to do to prepare for a no-deal scenario.
The topics covered medical supplies, financial services, nuclear safeguards, farming and organic food production.
Raab said while government ministers remain confident that reaching a deal is the most likely outcome, it is the duty of a responsible government to prepare for every situation "including the unlikely scenario that we reach Brexit day on 29 March, 2019, without a deal".
Raab said he remains confident a good deal is within sight, and remains Britain's top, and overriding, priority.
"If the EU responds with the level of ambition and pragmatism, we will strike a strong deal that benefits both sides," he said.
He added that Britain must be ready to consider the alternative and to plan for every eventuality, adding "we will be ready for Brexit, deal or no deal"
Raab described the technical notices as a sensible, measured, and proportionate approach to minimizing the impact of no deal on British firms, citizens, charities and public bodies.
"They will provide information and guidance. Our overarching aim is to facilitate the smooth, continued, functioning of business, transport, infrastructure, research, aid programs and funding streams, Raab said.
He added: "In some cases, it means taking unilateral action to maintain as much continuity as possible in the short term, in the event of no deal, irrespective of whether the EU reciprocates."
Raab said many of the no-deal challenges will affect the EU in similar ways to Britain, adding he hoped cool heads will prevail if there is no deal.
Raab said there are already some positive examples, citing the dialogue already going on between the Bank of England and the European Central Bank.
"It is a sensible illustration of EU institutions working with British ones, to minimize the practical impact of no deal, for the good of everyone," Raab said.
The main opposition Labour Party said a no-deal outcome would be catastrophic for Britain
Commenting ahead of the publication of the government's papers, Labour's Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer said: "A no-deal Brexit would be a complete failure by the government to negotiate for Britain. These documents should not distract us from that."
"No deal would be catastrophic for people's jobs, the economy and for the border in Northern Ireland. It is irresponsible for anyone to casualize no deal. With time running out in the negotiations, Labour urges the government to drop the dangerous rhetoric and prioritize securing a final Brexit deal that puts jobs and the economy first."
Vince Cable, leader of the minority Liberal Democrat Party, urged the government to refer a final deal to the British public so they could either agree or opt to remain in the EU.
