EU customs union deal would take Britain backwards

MORE than a dozen Labour MPs have backed a Liberal Democrat Bill calling for a new EU-UK customs union.

- Esther Krakue

It’s a “symbolic move”, we're told. A “historic victory”, according to Ed Davey. But what it actually proves is something far more depressing — our political class remains hopelessly addicted to the idea that Britain is nothing without Brussels.Sir Keir Starmer says he has no intention of rejoining the customs union. That may be true today, but his own senior figures have been dropping heavy hints in the opposite direction. David Lammy recently suggested that leaving the EU “badly damaged” Britain’s economy, and a closer relationship would boost growth. Wes Streeting made similar comments.

And the Prime Minister himself described Brexit as having “significantly hurt our economy” during a major speech in London. When the leadership sets that tone, it’s not surprising the backbenches start pushing for concrete steps back towards EU alignment. The timing is no coincidence either. The German state visit last week gave the impression the UK and EU are quietly moving back into each other’s orbit. But the narrative that Europe is flourishing while Britain falters simply isn’t true.

Germany is facing stagnation and industrial decline. France and Italy aren’t doing any better. Growth across the eurozone has been anaemic for years, and productivity has flatlined.