Pro-European Conservative and Labour MPs have joined forces behind an amendment that would oblige Britain to stay in a customs union with the European Union after Brexit.
The group, which includes former Conservative ministers Anna Soubry and Nicky Morgan
as well as Labour’s Chuka Umunna, claimed on Friday that they had
enough support to defeat the government, which is committed to leaving
the customs union and the single market.
“There is no majority in the House of Commons for us not to participate in the customs union, that is absolutely clear,” Mr Umunna said.
“If they are not going to change
their position they are going to lose votes in the House of Commons,
it’s as straightforward as that.”
The move comes ahead of a speech on Monday by Jeremy Corbyn, who is expected to announce that Labour now supports remaining in a customs union after Brexit. Mr Corbyn said this week that remaining in a customs union could be the only way to avoid a hard border in Ireland.
Read more: Pro-European Conservative and Labour MPs join forces over Brexit
