Downing Street confident of defeating rebel Tory bid to keep UK in customs union

Attempts by pro-European Tory MPs – with Labour support – to keep the UK in the EU customs union will fail, according to No 10 sources.



Sources speaking to the Sun said the Prime Minister will spell out her plans for a post-Brexit customs ‘partnership’ as early as Friday in order to nip the attempt in the bud.

A cross-party amendment to the Trade Bill tabled by rebel MP Anna Soubry calls on the Government to negotiate “a” customs union with the bloc.

Ten to fifteen Tories are thought to back the amendment – enough to defeat the government if they receive support from Labour.

Defeat would be a major blow to the Theresa May, who has vowed to take the UK out of the customs union after Brexit.

The vote has been pushed back to the spring, and Downing Street sources claimed the Conservitive rebels would come back onside when Mrs May laid out her proposals.