Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has welcomed MPs approving a non-binding motion saying the UK should be in a customs union with the EU.
The motion was passed without a vote in the House of Commons today (Thursday), which followed a more formal but similar vote in the House of Lords last week.
“While this was a non-binding motion, it gives a strong indication there is majority backing in the House of Commons for the UK to enter a customs union with the EU,” said Dr Farry.
“This situation should encourage the UK Government to rethink their overall position on Brexit. It is clear they have boxed themselves into a corner with contradictory commitments to three positons, only two of which can be achieved at any one time – to avoid a hard border within the island of Ireland, for the UK as whole to leave both the customs union and the single market, and to rule out any special arrangements for Northern Ireland in relation to a customs union and single market.
“The UK being in a customs union is a necessary but not in itself sufficient step to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland. It is, however, in the overall economic interest of the UK. Business organisations, most notably the CBI, have been vocal in calling for the Government to be in a customs union in order to place the interests of the UK economy first and foremost.”