Cabinet minister says UK would be “crazy” not to look at EU customs union a day after Chancellor dismissed the move
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)
Labour‘s push to row back on Brexit was plunged into fresh chaos today as a minister insisted Britain would be “crazy” not to look at a customs union with the EU. Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said a “gentle debate” was needed on the “best opportunities” for the economy post-Brexit.
But his comments come a day after Chancellor Rachel Reeves ruled out the move. In an interview with CNBC at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Mr Kyle said: “When it comes to the customs union, you know, we need to be having these conversations as a country about where is the best anchor, what is the best opportunities for Britain’s economy post-Brexit. Now, of course, it would be crazy not to engage with the prospect of a customs union.”
But Mr Kyle insisted that any change would be part of a longer-term process.
He added: “Let’s be clear, it took Turkey 20 years to join the customs union.
“It took four years for us to leave the customs union. I am focusing on what it takes to get growth into the economy now.
“And of course, this is a gentle debate, whereas the debate of the Brexit years ripped our country apart. We are now back together as a country, and we’ve got stable Government with a 10-year industrial strategy.”
And he dismissed suggestions that Sir Keir Starmer had lost control of his Cabinet over the issue.
Mr Kyle had said earlier this week that it would be “foolish” to pursue a customs union with the EU.
Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle (Image: Getty)
He told the Financial Times: “When it comes to a customs union, I understand why Lib Dem utopianism is so seductive.
“It took us four years to leave the customs union. Do people really think we can join the customs union quicker than it took to leave the customs union?”
He added: “I think at the moment it would be foolish to slip towards what would be simple solutions.”
It comes as Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Wes Streeting have both hinted at their support for joining a customs union with Brussels.
But the change is among Sir Keir Starmer’s “red lines” which also rule out rejoining the single market and returning to free movement.
The Lib Dems, who have long called for the UK to rejoin a customs union with the bloc, accused the Government of being “all over the place” on the issue.
The party’s Europe spokesman Al Pinkerton said: “Peter Kyle hasn’t just contradicted his Cabinet colleagues, he’s contradicted himself just 24 hours ago The Labour front bench is all over the place on the customs union.”
