Britain is drawing up contingency plans in case its Brexit negotiations with the EU fail. Brexit Minister David Davis said this yesterday as speculation mounted that the withdrawal process could start this week. He was speaking after MPs warned that ministers must prepare for the possibility that, with EU treaties allowing just two years to agree to a new relationship, Britain might well leave without a deal. <br/><br/>Prime Minister Theresa May has said she is optimistic about settling the divorce and a new trade agreement with the EU within the timeframe, but would walk away rather than accept a bad deal. A bill empowering May to trigger Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty and begin the withdrawal process returns to the House of Commons today for debate. Without further opposition, it could pass the House of Lords tonight. <br/><br/>After it is rubber-stamped by Queen Elizabeth II, May could start Brexit at any point. Keir Starmer, the Brexit spokesman for the opposition Labour party, repeated that he expected the government to start Brexit probably on Wednesday or Thursday.