Crunch time for Britain’s PM as she sets out Brexit plan

London: Britain’s opposition Labour Party warned that it could team up with Conservative rebels to force the country to become part of an EU customs union, a move that could threaten Theresa May’s government.

Labour’s Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer warned May yesterday that “crunch time is coming” over her Brexit plans, which she will set out on Friday, although she main- tains Britain would not remain a member of the EU customs union.

The premier only holds power thanks to the support of Northern Ireland’s DUP, and her government could be brought down if a handful of her Conservative MPs team up with opposition parties to demand that she pursues some kind of post-Brexit customs union.

EU supporters back a form of union, which would align tariffs charged on goods imported from the rest of the world, saying it was essential in retaining tariff-free access to the continental market.

“The arrangements are hardwired into the membership treaty, so I think everybody now recognises there’s going to have to be a new treaty – it will do the work of the customs union,” Starmer said.

“It’s the only way realistically to get tariff-free access; it’s important for our manufacturing base.”

He suggested that Labour could back an amendment by pro-EU Tory MP Anna Soubry to a trade bill currently going through parliament, demanding May “take all necessary steps” to secure a trade agreement that “enables the UK to participate after exit day in a customs union with the EU”.

Brexiteers argue that such a deal would prevent Britain from striking free trade deals with the rest of the world, one of the key benefits of leaving the EU.

May is under pressure to set out more details of her position before talks get underway in April.

“Now these cross-party amendments have gone down essentially saying the same thing and to put it bluntly crunch time is coming for the prime minister,” said Starmer.