A Bill put forward by the Lib Dems demanding the UK forms a customs union with the EU passed a Commons hurdle in a surprise vote – but No10 has ruled out backing it
A Bill demanding the UK sets up a new customs union with the EU following the “abject failure” of Brexit has been supported by MPs in a surprise vote.
The Lib Dem-proposed Customs Union (Duty to Negotiate) Bill resulted in a 100 to 100 tie – giving the deputy speaker a casting vote. The Commons was told Brexit was “the most dishonest campaign in modern British political history”.
Reform UK chief Nigel Farage did not cast a vote, Parliament records show, but four of his party members voted against. Putting forward the Bill, which is not expected to pass further hurdles, Lib Dem MP Al Pinkerton said: “Up and down the country, businesses know it, the public feel it and it’s time that this House find the courage to lift our whispered voices and admit it – Brexit has been an abject economic failure.
READ MORE: UK hits ‘world’s richest island’ with travel restrictions – ‘high risk to borders’READ MORE: Major update on grooming gangs inquiry as ex-children’s commissioner put in charge
“It’s choked business investment, shattered economic resilience, strangled trade, shrunk the economy and left every single one of us poorer. The economic benefits of Brexit were only ever an illusory mirage.”
Mr Pinkerton said that far from becoming a “buccaneering global Britain”, the country is “weaker and more isolated” than at any point in recent history. He added: “The most dishonest campaign in modern British political history promised that Brexit would save £350 million a week.
“Instead, Brexit is now costing this country £250 million every single day. That is why we have the highest tax burden in 70 years. That is why families face sky-high bills. That is why we remain trapped in a cost-of-living crisis.”
Thirteen Labour backbenchers voted for the Lib Dem proposal – including Dame Meg Hillier, who chairs the Treasury select committee. After the tied vote, deputy speaker Caroline Noakes voted in favour, as is customary, so it can be debated on in the future. She said: “In accordance with precedent, I will cast the casting vote ‘aye’ to allow further debate.”
The majority of Labour MPs had no vote recorded, except three who voted against and 13 who voted in favour. The Government has insisted that rejoining a customs union would be a “red line” it will not cross.
Bills tabled in this manner are unlikely to become law without Government support, but they do allow MPs to make a case for new legislation in the Commons. Conservative former minister Simon Hoare, who supported staying in the EU during the referendum, objected.
He said: “As somebody who voted to remain part of the European Union in the referendum, and campaigned strongly to do so, I accepted the result of the referendum.” He added: “(This motion) would fundamentally undermine the welcome and energetic efforts of His Majesty’s Government to continue to grow that iterative process of a relationship with the European Union without being part of it. That endeavour deserves the united support of all members.
“We all want to see an increase in trade with the European Union and we all want to see the uplifting benefit that that has to all of our citizens. But the proposal before us in this Bill is not the way to achieve it.”
Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper had earlier clashed with Chancellor Rachel Reeves over the UK’s ties with the European Union. Ms Cooper said the Brexit deal had “wrapped up British businesses in red tape and has blown a hole in the public finances” as she asked whether Ms Reeves would back the Bill.
Ms Reeves said: “Since we came into office last year, we’ve reset our relationship with the EU, which is why last May we agreed with the EU an expansive set of changes to our relationship – including on food and farming, on electricity and energy trading, and also on youth mobility and Erasmus.”
She also said the Government was “taking opportunities to trade more with fast-growing economies around the world, including India and also by getting the first and the best trade deal that anybody has secured with the US”.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was forced to clarify his position on rejoining the customs union last week after his deputy David Lammy praised how membership had boosted growth in other countries. Asked on the News Agents podcast if he would like to see the UK in a customs union, Mr Lammy had said: “That is not currently our policy.
“That’s not currently where we are. But you can see countries like Turkey with a customs union seemingly benefiting and seeing growth in their economy, and, again, that’s self-evident.”
Mr Starmer said Labour would be sticking to its manifesto, which pledged to strengthen ties with Brussels without returning to the customs union, single market or freedom of movement.