The 13 Labour MPs who’ve just betrayed every Brit who voted for Brexit | Politics | News

Thirteen Labor MPs voted in favor of a Liberal Democrat Bill that would require the Government to negotiate a new customs union with the European Union; this contributed to the tied vote that allowed the measure to advance to the Acting Speaker’s vote.

The Customs Union (Negotiation Task) Bill, presented by Liberal Democrat Europe spokesman Al Pinkerton with the 10-minute rule, passed its first stage in the House of Commons after 100 MPs voted yes and 100 MPs voted no. Deputy Speaker Caroline Nokes cast the decision vote in favour, in line with parliamentary precedent for equal divisions on such motions to allow for further debate. The bill is scheduled for second reading on January 16, 2026.

200 MPs out of 650 members participated in the voting. The remaining 450 people, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and the majority of the Cabinet, did not vote. While Labor instructed its members to abstain, it recorded only 16 votes: 13 in favour, three against. Nearly 400 Labor MPs abstained.

The 13 who voted yes included Richard Burgon (Leeds East), a long-time ally of former leader Jeremy Corbyn; Dawn Butler (Brent East), a vocal advocate for equality issues; and Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Clapham and Brixton Hill), known for her social justice campaigns.

Other supporters include Dame Meg Hillier, chair of the Public Accounts Committee (Hackney South and Shoreditch); Imran Hussain (Bradford East); and Afzal Khan (Manchester Rusholme).

The group also included backbenchers Sadik Al-Hassan (North Somerset), Fleur Anderson (Putney), Tonia Antoniazzi (Gower), Marsha de Cordova (Battersea), Peter Lamb (Crawley), James Naish (Rushcliffe) and Dr Simon Opher (Stroud).

The vote distribution for 100 votes was as follows: 65 Liberal Democrats, 13 Labour, 8 Scottish National Party, 4 Plaid Cymru, 3 Green Party, 2 Social Democrat and Labor Party (Northern Ireland), 1 Alliance Party (Northern Ireland) and 4 independents.

The bill was opposed by 89 Conservatives, as well as treasurers David Simmonds (Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner) and Andrew Snowden (Fylde). The remaining votes included 4 Reform UK MPs, 3 Labor MPs, 2 independents, 1 Traditional Unionist Voice (Northern Ireland) and 1 Ulster Unionist Party MP. Reform England leader Nigel Farage did not vote.

The bill’s progress highlights ongoing tensions within Labor over relations with the EU post-Brexit. This follows comments last week by Foreign Secretary David Lammy in a podcast suggesting that countries such as Türkiye benefited economically from the customs union with the EU.

Sir Keir quickly clarified that such an arrangement was not Government policy and reaffirmed the 2024 Labor manifesto’s commitment to closer EU ties without rejoining the customs union, single market or freedom of movement.

Earlier on Tuesday, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper challenged Ms Reeves in the House of Commons, accusing the Brexit deal of imposing red tape on businesses and damaging the public finances. Ms Reeves responded by outlining the Government’s recent “reset” with the EU, including agreements on veterinary standards, energy trading and youth mobility programs such as Erasmus.

He added that the administration is pursuing trade agreements with growing economies such as India and the United States to spur economic growth.

The motion was opposed by Conservative former minister Simon Hoare, who supported Remain in the 2016 referendum and has since backed the result. He argued this would create uncertainty for businesses and undermine the Government’s efforts to establish a stable UK-EU relationship outside formal membership structures. Mr Hoare noted the EU’s lack of interest in resuming such negotiations.

Ten-minute rule bills like this rarely progress without Government support, as Labor has rejected. This period is expected to pass as the parliamentary term does not expire unless the ministers intervene, and the ministers stated that they will not follow this result. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called the result a “historic victory” and called on Starmer to reconsider his red lines to boost growth and public services.

Liberal Democrats: 65

Labor: 13

Scottish National Party: 8

Plaid Cymru: 4

Green Party: 3

Social Democratic and Labor Party: 2

Alliance Party: 1

Independents: 4

Sadiq Al-Hassan (North Somerset)

Fleur Anderson (Putney)

Tonia Antoniazzi (Gower)

Richard Burgon (East Leeds)

Dawn’s Servant (Brent East)

Marsha de Cordova (Battersea)

Dame Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch)

Imran Hussain (Bradford East)

Afzal Khan (Manchester Rusholme)

Peter Lamb (Crawley)

James Naish (Rushcliffe)

Doctor Simon Opher (Stroud)

Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Clapham and Brixton Hill)