MPs Pressure Theresa May to Keep the UK in the Customs Union with the EU

British MPs intensified pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday regarding her Brexit strategy, criticizing her opposition to the UK remaining in the customs union with the EU.

The House of Commons adopted a non-binding motion calling on the government to negotiate an “effective customs union” with the EU after Brexit, which May opposes.

The customs union is one of the key issues in the Brexit debate, and proponents of leaving the EU are sensitive to any suggestion that Britain might remain in such an alliance with the Union.

>>>New referendum campaign for the agreement on the terms of the UK’s exit from the EU

Home Secretary Amber Rudd had to clarify May’s recent statement in which she allegedly suggested that the government is still developing its policy towards the customs union.

May later reiterated that her government’s position is that Britain should leave the customs union in order to negotiate trade agreements independently with other countries.

Brexit supporters believe that remaining in any European alliance would reduce Britain to the status of a “vassal.”

>>>Farage: Brexit is in danger of being stopped by the establishment

However, some Conservative MPs believe that May’s insistence on leaving the single market and customs union could isolate the country and harm it.

Pro-European MPs were encouraged after the House of Lords also questioned her stance, which some of her critics consider an unnecessary red line and which could lead to the re-establishment of a hard border with Ireland.

European officials are also supporting them, indicating that they will offer Britain closer relations if it remains in the customs union.

>>>After Brexit, Croatia and 7 other Eastern European EU members will increase contributions to the Union budget

But May and her ministers do not want to yield. Her spokesperson stated that Britain does not plan to remain in the customs union or join it after Brexit. “Are we leaving the customs union? The answer is categorically yes,” he said.