Computer delays could mean Britain will be trapped in EU Customs Union ‘for years’ says Tory chairman
BRITAIN could stay in the EU’s customs union for years after Brexit, the Tory chairman Brandon Lewis suggested yesterday.
The long extension would be needed to prepare the technology for Theresa May’s complicated Customs Partnership plan, in which the UK would collect EU tariffs.
During that time Britain could not sign any independent trade deals.
The idea has left the PM at loggerheads with senior Leavers, who refused to give their support at a tense No10 dust-up.
Today, Sun columnist James Forsyth reveals No10 has launched a two-week operation to strong-arm Brexiteers into changing their minds.
Mrs May’s allies warn failure to back her idea would risk Brexit.
The four key Cabinet Leavers, including Boris Johnson and Brexit Secretary David Davis, say her “unworkable” scheme would cede control to Brussels.
Cabinet minister Mr Lewis further deepened fury by refusing to put a date on when the UK would pull out.
It was thought it would be at the end of the Brexit transition period in December 2020.
But Mr Lewis would say only that the Cabinet would be “making some decisions on that”.
HM Revenue and Customs chiefs warn it will take up to 2023 to set up necessary computer systems.
Brexiteer Iain Duncan Smith said: “No10 are in cloud cuckoo land if they are taking advice from a civil servant to implement a complicated digital system. It will never be ready, let alone in five years.”
MOST READ IN POLITICS
Mr Johnson fired a shot across Mrs May’s bows by claiming voters stood by her in Thursday’s local elections because of her clean Brexit pledge.
He tweeted: “Jeremy Corbyn has been abandoned in many leave areas — his pledge to stay in the customs union means he is not trusted to deliver Brexit. The PM’s clear Mansion House vision for leaving the single market and customs union a key part of Tory electoral success”.
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]