More than a dozen Labour MPs rebel against Starmer to back call for EU-UK customs union
More than a dozen Labor MPs have backed the Liberal Democrat bill calling on the government to open negotiations on a new EU-UK customs union.
Supporters claimed a “historic victory” after the vote, which will increase pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to reconsider his Brexit policy.
The Prime Minister has reportedly rejected calls from his chief economic adviser for the UK to rejoin the customs union in a bid to improve faltering economic growth.
Labor also insisted it had no plans to re-enter the customs union or single market, which the UK left after voting to leave the EU.
But 13 Labor MPs voted to support the call for a customs union with the EU, as the proposal is supported by MPs in the House of Commons.
The so-called 10-minute rule bill, tabled by Liberal Democrat Europe spokesman Al Pinkerton, resulted in a 100-100 vote, giving the vice president the deciding vote. In response, deputy leader Caroline Noakes voted “yes” to break the deadlock.
Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said the symbolic vote was a “historic victory” against the “Conservatives’ economic nightmare of breaking the Brexit deal”.
He added: “People across the country are crying out for real change and a solution to the cost of living crisis. A customs union with the EU is the biggest step the government can take to grow our economy, put money back into people’s pockets and free billions of dollars from our public services.”
Labor should have voted in favor of more than 400 MPs to reject the motion, but four Labor MPs abstained despite voting against it.
Previously, Mr Pinkerton declared Brexit a “debacle” as he urged MPs to back a customs union deal. He said Brexit was “economics as a consolation prize and the country is paying the price.”
Conservative MP Simon Hoare, who opposed the call and voted to remain, told MPs he accepted the referendum result. He added that there were four reasons to reject the offer. But most importantly, he said, “the EU doesn’t want this” and that it is “enormous arrogance” to think they do.
Ahead of the motion, Sir Ed wrote a letter to the prime minister accusing the government of “failing to take the necessary steps to properly initiate work to remedy the damage” to the deal that has so far been secured under the Conservative Party.
Last week Sir Keir insisted Labor would stick to its manifesto, which included promises to strengthen the UK’s relationship with Brussels without rejoining the customs union, single market or freedom of movement.
“The position we have taken has been clearly laid out in the manifesto and we are following it,” he said.
