Tuesday 03 September 2019 10:05 am

TUC head warns MPs of ‘serious risk of civil unrest’ in event of no-deal Brexit

General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, Frances O’Grady, speaks to the media after a meeting at 10 Downing Street in central London on January 24, 2019. – Britain has been in a state of political upheaval since last week when parliament rejected the withdrawal deal negotiated by Prime Minister Theresa May with the EU, leaving the UK on course for a no-deal Brexit on March 29. The political crisis in London comes against a backdrop of growing economic gloom, with business leaders warning politicians of the effects of Brexit uncertainty. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)

Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has written to MPs asking them to do everything in their power to prevent a “catastrophic” no-deal Brexit.

“A no-deal Brexit would be a disaster for working families,” she wrote. “The prime minister has no mandate to force a catastrophic no-deal Brexit on the country.”

“There would be a serious risk of civil unrest, O’Grady added.

She also criticised the government’s decision to prorogue parliament as “reckless and divisive”. “No responsible government would even contemplate no deal. Using tactics like this to force it through should be unthinkable.”

MPs are preparing for what could be a chaotic first day Parliament after the summer recess, as rebel Conservative MPs seek to take control of the legislative agenda in an attempt to prevent a no-deal Brexit.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has threatened to call a snap election if the rebels are successful. A senior government source said the election would be held on 14 October – two weeks before the Brexit deadline of 14 October.

Main image credit: Getty