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More than a dozen Labor MPs have backed a Liberal Democrat bill calling on the government to start new talks on the issue European Union-UK Customs union.
Supporters then claimed a “historic victory”. vote, which of Increase pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to reconsider Brexit Policy.
The Prime Minister reportedly It rejected calls from its chief economic adviser for the UK to rejoin the customs union in an effort to improve faltering economic growth.
Labor has also stressed that it has no plans to re-enter the customs union or the single market, both of which Britain left after voting to leave the EU.
But 13 Labor MPs voted to support calls for a customs union with the EU as the proposal was backed by MPs in the Commons.
A so-called 10-minute rule bill, introduced by Liberal Democrat Europe spokesman Al Pinkerton, died in a tie of 100 votes to 100, giving the deputy speaker the casting vote. In response, Deputy Speaker Caroline Knox voted “yes” to break the deadlock.
ed davyThe Lib Dem leader said the symbolic vote was “a historic victory” against “the economic nightmare of the Conservatives’ broken Brexit deal”.
He said: “Across the country, people are crying out for real change and solutions to the 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 generate billions for our public services.”
Labor, with over 400 MPs, should have been able to defeat the motion but was seen absent, although four Labor MPs voted against it.
Earlier Mr Pinkerton declared Brexit a “flop” as he urged MPs to support the customs union deal. Brexit, he said, was “consolation economics and the country is paying the price”.
Opposing the call, Tory MP Simon Hore, who voted Remain, told MPs he accepted the referendum result. He said there were four reasons for rejecting the proposal. But most important, he said, was that “the EU doesn’t want this” and that it is “huge arrogance” to think that they want this.
Ahead of the motion, Sir Ed wrote to the Prime Minister accusing the government of failing to take the necessary steps to properly begin repairing the damage to the deal secured under the Tories.
Last week, Sir Keir insisted Labor would stick to your manifestoThat included promises to strengthen the UK’s relationship with Brussels without joining the customs union, single market or freedom of movement.
“The stance we are taking is clearly stated in the manifesto and we are following it,” he said.