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MPs can vote Britain back into EU customs union after Brexit without new legislation, minister reveals | |
(35 minutes later) | |
MPs will be able to vote for Britain to rejoin the EU customs union after Brexit without further legislation, a minister has revealed. | MPs will be able to vote for Britain to rejoin the EU customs union after Brexit without further legislation, a minister has revealed. |
The surprise admission delighted pro-EU MPs but will alarm Brexiteers who will view it as a back door to remaining within the trading rules, despite EU withdrawal. | The surprise admission delighted pro-EU MPs but will alarm Brexiteers who will view it as a back door to remaining within the trading rules, despite EU withdrawal. |
Ken Clarke, the former Conservative Cabinet minister and leading anti-Brexit rebel, said he was “considerably reassured” by what the Government was proposing. | Ken Clarke, the former Conservative Cabinet minister and leading anti-Brexit rebel, said he was “considerably reassured” by what the Government was proposing. |
The admission came amid claims there is a majority in the Commons for staying in the customs union, because the fear of huge extra costs for businesses and chaos at Britain’s borders. | The admission came amid claims there is a majority in the Commons for staying in the customs union, because the fear of huge extra costs for businesses and chaos at Britain’s borders. |
Mel Stride, a Treasury minister, revealed the small print of the Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Bill, which is needed for the Government to levy customs duties on goods traded with the EU, after Brexit. | Mel Stride, a Treasury minister, revealed the small print of the Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Bill, which is needed for the Government to levy customs duties on goods traded with the EU, after Brexit. |
He insisted the UK will leave the trade bloc when it withdraws from the EU in March next year - but acknowledged a clause in the legislation would allow it to re-enter. | He insisted the UK will leave the trade bloc when it withdraws from the EU in March next year - but acknowledged a clause in the legislation would allow it to re-enter. |
“Clause 31 makes provision for the Government to enter into - or this country to enter into - a customs union with another territory,” Mr Stride said. | “Clause 31 makes provision for the Government to enter into - or this country to enter into - a customs union with another territory,” Mr Stride said. |
“That territory could be the existing customs union of the European Union after we have left the European Union, it could be another territory apart from that.” | “That territory could be the existing customs union of the European Union after we have left the European Union, it could be another territory apart from that.” |
MPs would simply have to approve a statutory instrument – a regulation, not fresh legislation – in order for that to happen, the minister added. | MPs would simply have to approve a statutory instrument – a regulation, not fresh legislation – in order for that to happen, the minister added. |
Theresa May has vowed the UK will leave the single market and the customs union, while conceding it must abide by their rules in the two-year transition period she is seeking after March 2019. | Theresa May has vowed the UK will leave the single market and the customs union, while conceding it must abide by their rules in the two-year transition period she is seeking after March 2019. |
Businesses have repeatedly warned of their fears that leaving will bring an explosion in red tape, disruption to trade flows and huge queues at border points. | Businesses have repeatedly warned of their fears that leaving will bring an explosion in red tape, disruption to trade flows and huge queues at border points. |
MPs were told the Taxation Bill allows a “standalone” customs regime to be set up, for the UK to charge duties on imported goods and for the Government to decide how customs declarations should be made. | MPs were told the Taxation Bill allows a “standalone” customs regime to be set up, for the UK to charge duties on imported goods and for the Government to decide how customs declarations should be made. |
During the debate, former Labour minister Chris Leslie said he would continue pushing his party's frontbench to support remaining in the customs union. | During the debate, former Labour minister Chris Leslie said he would continue pushing his party's frontbench to support remaining in the customs union. |
And he said: “I happen to believe there's a majority in this House of Commons for membership of the customs union. | And he said: “I happen to believe there's a majority in this House of Commons for membership of the customs union. |
“I have a little work to continue to persuade my own frontbench of this particular issue. I'll try my best to do that because I think eventually they will recognise, not just for the transition period but for the longer-term being, part of the customs union is incredibly important for our economy.” | “I have a little work to continue to persuade my own frontbench of this particular issue. I'll try my best to do that because I think eventually they will recognise, not just for the transition period but for the longer-term being, part of the customs union is incredibly important for our economy.” |