UK: 30 Labour MPs vote for talks on joining EU customs union
Tied Commons Vote Pushes Lib Dem Customs Union Bill Forward, Despite Slim Chances of Becoming Law
A Liberal Democrat proposal requiring the government to begin negotiations on joining a bespoke customs union with the EU cleared its first hurdle in Parliament after a rare tied vote forced the Deputy Speaker to cast the deciding ballot.
The vote split 100–100, prompting Deputy Speaker Caroline Nokes to support the UK-EU Customs Union Bill “to allow for further debate” – in line with parliamentary convention that a casting vote should not make a final decision. It is the first tied division in the Commons since 2019, during the final stages of the Brexit debates.
Although the bill progresses, it stands little prospect of becoming law without government backing.
Labour Split, Lib Dems Celebrate
Thirteen Labour MPs, including Richard Burgon, Dawn Butler and Dame Meg Hillier, broke with the party line to back the Liberal Democrat measure. Three Labour MPs – Jonathan Brash, Luke Myer and Josh Newbury – voted against, while most abstained.
Labour’s manifesto rules out re-joining the EU customs union, and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reaffirmed this week that such a move is “not currently our policy”.
Eighty-nine Conservative MPs opposed the bill, joined by four from Reform UK.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey hailed the narrow result as a “historic victory”, urging the government to “drop its self-imposed red lines” and pursue “an ambitious trade deal with the EU”.
Brexit Fault Lines Re-Emerge
Introducing the bill, Lib Dem Europe spokesperson Al Pinkerton argued a new customs union would “cut red tape, unlock investment and restore certainty”, accusing Brexit of inflicting deep economic damage.
Conservative MP Simon Hoare urged colleagues to reject the plan, arguing it would undermine the 2016 referendum result, disrupt existing trade agreements such as those with Australia, and fail to gain EU support. “There is neither interest in it nor appetite for it,” he said.
The debate comes amid increasingly forthright criticism of Brexit from senior Labour figures. Earlier this month, Starmer wrote that the “botched Brexit deal significantly hurt our economy”, while Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said leaving the EU had “badly damaged our economy” and created “serious friction”. Lammy said a customs union is not Labour policy but noted Turkey’s arrangement with the EU appeared to be supporting its economic growth.
The UK left the EU customs union after Brexit, though the government has been pursuing sector-specific agreements with Brussels on issues including food standards, electricity trading and youth mobility.
Despite Tuesday’s symbolic milestone, the bill is expected to stall unless ministers shift their stance – something Starmer has shown little sign of doing.