Jessica Elgot is joined by Rafael Behr, Susanna Rustin and Katy Balls to discuss Theresa May’s doomsday preparations. Plus: should Brexit be decided by a citizens assembly instead of parliament?

Faced with the prospect of her Brexit deal being defeated in the Commons, Theresa May’s cabinet has decided to dramatically step up preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Project Fear of the 2016 referendum looks like a walk in the park compared with the measures that have been announced: a further £2bn in “Brexit preparedness” funding, becoming the world’s leading buyer of fridges to stockpile medicines, and having 3,500 members of the armed forces on standby.

So, is all this just a clear ruse to frighten MPs into voting for May’s deal when the meaningful vote is finally held, or is there a very real chance that the UK could crash out of Europe?

Joining Jessica Elgot to discuss this are the Guardian’s Rafael Behr and Susanna Rustin, and the Spectator’s Katy Balls.



Also this week, should the issue of Brexit be decided by a citizens assembly, given the parliamentary deadlock? And we find out MPs tactics for avoiding all mention of Brexit over Christmas.

Please leave your thoughts below.