Tory rebels pile pressure on May ahead of new Brexit Bill vote
By Caoimhe Toman
Date: Tuesday 05 Jun 2018
(Sharecast News) - UK Prime Minister Theresa May faces a backbench revolt from 12 Tory backbenchers who are threatening to vote against government proposals on post-Brexit customs union arrangements on Tuesday.
Cabinet divisions are preventing the government from producing its own customs plan. The Wihdrawal Bill suffered a series of defeats in the House of Lords and The Times reported that ministers are expected to want to overturn the Lords' amendments in the commons vote but may not have an overall majority if the rebels defy government whips.
Key issues to be debated include leaving the EU customs union and single market, the Irish border issue and parliament's power in the case that the government fails to secure an exit deal. The scrutiny will last three days, with one whole session dedicated to the customs union and single market.
Senior ministers are growing frustrated as May fails to solve the problems putting Brexit negotiations in a deadlock and criticise the lack of urgency coming from the prime minister, given all deal proposals should be agreed with the EU by October.
May also refuses to say whether the government will finally publish a promised Brexit white paper that detailed her "ambitious and precise" plans for the UK's exit before EU leaders meet at the end of June. It is expected to be published in July.
It is not only Tory rebels increasing the pressure on May. On Tuesday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was expected to attack her for failing to stand up to US tariffs on steel and aluminum because she was still hoping for a preferential trade deal after Brexit.
"Theresa May is appeasing (US President) Donald Trump in the hope of getting a race-to-the-bottom trade deal with the US after we leave the European Union. The Trump trade tariffs show that's a Tory pipe-dream," Corbyn will say, according to speech extracts released by his office.
UK business leaders on Monday told May at Downing Street that she needs to take key Brexit decisions so companies could start to plan for the future. They also urged her to exit the EU with a secured transition deal so firms could adapt to new regulations and draw up future business plans.
According to senior tax officials, companies could face an extra £20bn a year in costs to comply with customs arrangements if the UK exits the block without a deal.
Jon Thompson, permanent secretary at Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs said on Tuesday: "If we move to WTO (World Trade Organization) rules, that would definitely require customs declarations so it would be similar in terms of costs."
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