London, September 12 (RHC)--

“This is not something that can simply be left to the 11th hour,” Lidington said on the sidelines of Italy’s annual Ambrosetti conference on European affairs.  The official added that London had a well-developed strategy for a no-deal Brexit scenario although it remained committed to achieving a deal and thought negotiations for such a deal should wrap up by November.

“We remain very much committed to getting a good deal and believing that that is not just the right outcome but the most probable outcome,” Lidington said, adding that Britain wanted a deal that satisfied all EU member states.

Britain is due to leave the EU at the end of March next year.  Negotiations on a deal for future relations have been very tough and some have even warned that there is a high chance for the UK to crash out of the EU without a deal.

The government of Prime Minister Theresa May has been trying hard to sell its Brexit strategy both to the EU and to domestic critics.  The EU has been critical of May’s plan to maintain some trade links with the bloc after withdrawal takes place.  Critics at home have also slammed May for giving up too much during the talks.