Jeremy Corbyn backs new post-Brexit customs union with EU

Labour would seek would seek to form a 'new and comprehensive' UK-EU customs union to ensure tariff-free trade after Brexit, Jeremy Corbyn has said.

The Labour leader’s announcement suggests his party could line up with Tory rebels to force a change in the Government’s approach.

But Brexiteers have criticised Mr Corbyn’s position as a “betrayal”, warning it would leave the UK beholden to EU rules and unable to sign its own free trade deals with countries around the world.

Mr Corbyn appeared to suggest the UK would not be able to sign its trade agreements, but stressed he would demand the EU ensures the Government “has a say in future trade deals” in the national interest.

And he said Labour would not countenance a deal that leaves Britain as a “passive recipient of rules decided elsewhere by others”.

Mr Corbyn also stressed free movement of EU citizens would end “as a statement of fact” when the UK leaves the EU, committing to the “reasonable management of migration”.

In a speech in Coventry, Mr Corbyn said: “Labour would seek a final deal that gives full access to European markets and maintains the benefits of the single market and the customs union, as the Brexit Secretary David Davis promised in the House of Commons with no new impediments to trade and no new reduction in rights, standards and protections.

“We have long argued that a customs union is a viable option for the final deal so Labour would seek to negotiate a new, comprehensive UK-EU customs union to ensure there are no tariffs with Europe and to help avoid any need whatsoever for a hard border in Northern Ireland.”

He spoke as the Cabinet prepared for a Thursday meeting where they will finalise the Government’s position ahead of a major Brexit speech from Mrs May on Friday.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Government will not be joining a customs union. We want to have the freedom to sign our own trade deals and to reach out into the world.”

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The Labour leader’s speech was a welcome step forwards.

“It provided some of the answers working people need on how their jobs, rights and livelihoods will be protected, and it exposed the threat to manufacturing jobs from the Government’s red line on a customs union.”

Carolyn Fairbairn, director general of the CBI, said: “The Labour leader’s commitment to a customs union will put jobs and living standards first by remaining in a close economic relationship with the EU.

“It will help grow trade without accepting freedom of movement or payments to the EU.

“Importantly, a customs union will go part of the way to providing a real-world solution to the Irish border question that is of such urgent concern to the people and firms of Northern Ireland.

SNP MP Stephen Gethins said: “Jeremy Corbyn needs to go further if he is serious about protecting the UK’s economy and jobs as the UK leaves the EU.

“It is staggering that Jeremy Corbyn can quote back the UK government’s leaked economic Brexit analysis, yet choose to leave out the fact that the analysis shows out of the three likely outcomes of the Brexit negotiations, remaining in the single market and customs union is the least damaging option.”