May warned of trade policy backlash

Theresa May has been warned the Conservative Party would “not be forgivenforageneration”ifitexperiments with its post-brexit trade policy.

Nicky Morgan and Ken Clarke were among the senior pro-eu Tories who urged the prime minister to retain the option of a customs union between the UK and EU, amid concerns over the impact of major changes to peace in Northern Ireland.

Former education secretary Mrs Morgan advised the government against ignoring the “evidence for peace” in Northern Ireland and undermining business and financial security, with Mr Clarke arguing the UK would suffer “terrible damage” if customs union arrangements were not replicated.

Ripping up existing trade deals could be “deeply damaging” to jobs and communities, Labour’s Yvette Cooper also said as she opened a backbench business debate on customs and borders.

The chairwoman of the Home Affairs Committee warned time was running out for parliament to “help shape the negotiations” and to hear from the Government about what it is going to do.

Treasury Select Committee chairwoman Mrs Morgan said: “This country has been asked to experiment at other people’s pleasure with a free trade policy where we do not know what the costs will be for constituents and businesses in this country. And I say to my party: If we undermine and ignore the evidence for peace in Northern Ireland and we undermine the business and financial security of the people in this country we will not be forgiven for a generation.”

Mr Clarke said it would be “grossly irresponsible” to put a hard border in the middle of Ireland.

Independent North Down MP Lady Hermon warned Mrs May: “If we have no deal we will inevitably have a hard border in Northern Ireland and we would see the return of violence in Northern Ireland.”

But Labour Brexiteer Kate Hoey said the EU was “seizing on divisions” in the Commons to pursue demands.