Brexit latest – Brexiteers dealt a blow as they’re told customs union is now the only way to leave the EU
Julian Smith claimed there is now a choice between staying in the customs union and holding a second referendum
THE Tories will have to accept a customs union as the only way of delivering Brexit, the Chief Whip has warned.
Julian Smith told ministers they are now faced with a choice between a soft Brexit and a second referendum which could keep us in the EU permanently.
The warning from Theresa May's Commons enforcer is a massive blow to Brexiteers who want the freedom to cut trade deals around the world.
The Conservatives are locked in talks with Labour to try and thrash out a compromise deal which can make it through Parliament.
At yesterday's Cabinet meeting, the Chief Whip reportedly said Labour would demand a customs union as the price of any deal.
Mr Smith said: "It's a customs union or a second referendum, and we are not having a second referendum," .
He warned that simply holding a fourth vote on Mrs May's deal, as argued by some ministers, would be pointless.
It's a customs union or a second referendum
Julian Smith
Labour's Rebecca Long-Bailey, a member of Labour's team during the Brexit talks, predicted the Tories would end up going for a customs union.
She said today: "I think, pragmatically, that they potentially may have no option in order to be able to push this deal through."
Mrs May has repeatedly promised to take Britain out of the customs union so we can forge an independent trade policy.
Tory leadership contenders this week stepped up their campaign against the idea.
Jeremy Hunt said: "Personally I think a customs union is bad policy.
"I haven't seen any experts who think the customs union which is on offer from the EU would be in any way sustainable for an economy the size of Britain."
And Dominic Raab added: "People voted to leave the EU, and we have to be pragmatic and realistic about it.
"But if they see that means some form of single market or customs union arrangement, then they are not going to have seen us as delivering that promise."
Ministers have set a deadline of next Wednesday for the cross-party talks on Brexit to bear fruit.
If the two sides haven't reached a deal within a week, they are likely to hold a string of Commons votes on all the different EU exit outcomes.
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