UK will narrow position to one customs option in Brexit talks
The government British Prime Minister Theresa May will narrow its position on the United Kingdom’s future customs arrangement with the European Union, a spokesman for Downing Street has said.
"There are two options which we put forward and those two options are currently on the table, but as we move forward you can expect us to move forward with a single option," the spokesman told reporters on Thursday, Reuters reported.
Asked when the decision will be made, he said: "It will be from when there has been a full discussion on it and the government has taken a decision."
May is struggling to avert a cabinet rebellion amid fears from euroskeptic lawmakers of her party that she will keep the UK in the EU customs union after Brexit.
Tories in May’s inner circle think the premier could be forced to accept staying in the customs union because Parliament will reject her plan to pull out from it, according to reports.
Members of the House of Lords have already inflicted an embarrassing defeat on the May government by voting against her flagship Brexit legislation, the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, also known as the Repeal Bill.
Now the House of Commons will vote on the measure. If MPs also vote in favor of remaining in the customs union with the bloc, it could trigger a challenge to May’s leadership from Brexit campaigners in the Conservative Party.
Home secretary breaks ranks with cabinet colleagues
Meanwhile, British Home Secretary Amber Rudd said on Thursday that the government is yet to arrive at a “final position” on whether the UK will be in the customs union after Brexit.
She said there are still more cabinet discussions are to be held before ministers decide how to proceed on the customs union, despite May having been adamant Britain will not be any part of one after withdrawal.
May has admitted that there are “hard facts” Britain should be ready to face about the economic consequences of leaving the EU.
She has said the UK would leave the EU’s single market and customs union after Brexit in March 2019, noting the country may suffer new trade barriers as a result of her move.
May has also said that any customs union deal with the EU would keep London from striking new trade deals with fast-growing economies like China and India.
In Britain’s 2016 referendum, 52 percent, or 17.4 million people, voted to leave the EU while 48 percent, or 16 million, voted to stay.
May insists Britain will leave the EU as planned and there will be no rerun of the Brexit referendum.
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