Keir Starmer says Theresa May's case against new customs union has ‘collapsed’
2 min read
Keir Starmer has accused Theresa May of “governing for narrow party interest” by ruling out a new customs union after Brexit, ahead of a key vote later today.
The Shadow Brexit Secretary said any economic case for the Government's stance had “collapsed” following ministers' own impact assessments and the “lack of progress” on moving towards new trade deals.
His comments come ahead of a cross-party motion in the Commons on whether Britain should seek a customs union after Brexit.
While the vote is largely symbolic, it could heap pressure on Theresa May if Tory rebels challenge her minority government.
Labour has said failure to strike a customs union arrangement with the EU could cost the country £24bn until 2033, based on analysis of Government figures.
The party has said it would seek "a customs union", rather than retaining membership of the current EU customs union, while ministers have said Britain will be outside of such an arrangement.
But Mr Starmer said the Government’s stance proves Mrs May is “putting her own job before that of millions of working people”.
“Over the past few weeks it has become abundantly clear that Theresa May is unwilling and unable to put the country’s interests first during the Brexit negotiations,” he said.
"She has wasted twelve weeks of the Brexit negotiations delaying a Commons’ vote on the UK negotiating a customs union with the EU for fear of a defeat.
"The Prime Minister is now solely focused on internal party management and masking the divisions within her government.
“Above all, it shows we have a Prime Minister governing for narrow party interest, not the national interest.”
Mrs May has laid out two options being considered by the Government, including a “customs partnership”, effectively collecting duties for the EU for goods arriving in the UK but intended for EU markets or a "highly streamlined" approach using technology and regulatory co-operation.
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