Conservative manifesto bids to shut down Remoaners by enshrining full Brexit in the party platform
Theresa May vows to quit the Single Market and Customs Union as well as ending free movement
THE Tories today made a bid to end Remoaners' attempts to block Brexit once and for all by enshrining an EU exit in the party manifesto.
Theresa May's party vows to withdraw from the Single Market and the Customs Union, allowing Britain to escape the authority of Brussels and strike its own global trade deals.
Previously, pro-Remain Tory backbenchers and peers have opposed a so-called Hard Brexit, arguing that the referendum result did not give a mandate to quit the Single Market.
But if the Conservatives are elected on this manifesto promise, it will leave them unable to deploy the same argument in future.
George Osborne's former chief of staff Rupert Harrison described the promise as "probably the most important line in the manifesto".
He added: "Putting it in writing means chances of Parliament pushing back are basically zero."
And economist Liam Halligan said: "Determined Brexit-blockers in Upper House now have guns spiked. Official. If they try to stop Brexit again, Lords will be committing suicide."
The manifesto says: "As we leave the European Union, we will no longer be members of the single market or customs union but we will seek a deep and special partnership including a comprehensive free trade and customs agreement."
It also pledges to end free movement, saying: "Leaving the European Union means, for the first time in decades, that we will be able to control immigration from the European Union too.
"We will therefore establish an immigration policy that allows us to reduce and control the number of people who come to Britain from the European Union, while still allowing us to attract the skilled workers our economy needs."
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Mrs May has long been clear that she will seek to leave the Single Market and the Customs Union.
If Britain stayed in them after Brexit, we would be forced to accept regulations made in Brussels by other European countries.
We would also be unable to strike our own trade agreements outside Europe.
Instead, the Tories are keen to draw up a bespoke trade deal with the EU, allowing for the free flow of goods and services while cracking down on European immigration.
Pro-EU Conservatives have previously sought to keep closer links with Brussels, claiming that Mrs May did not have a mandate for a clean separation.
However, if they are elected on a manifesto promise to leave the Single Market, they may feel compelled to drop their opposition to her plans.
And the House of Lords, which has repeatedly threatened to block Brexit, by custom never votes against Government policies which were featured in the winning party's manifesto.
Labour has also pledged to end free movement, but the party wants to "retain the benefits" of the Single Market and Customs Union.
The Liberal Democrats are calling for a second Europe referendum once the terms of the Brexit deal are known, giving voters the chance to change their mind about leaving the EU.