The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Tory Remainers urged to keep an ‘open mind’
Fox claims Cabinet has agreed proposals that deal with concerns over customs union
Cabinet minister Liam Fox has urged Tory Remainers to keep an “open mind” after they threatened to rebel over the approach to membership of a customs union.
The International Trade Secretary suggested the Brexit “war cabinet” on Thursday has agreed proposals that would deal with their fears.
Former minister and leading Tory rebel Anna Soubry had warned she had cross-party support for a new amendment to the Government’s trade Bill that would mandate the UK to form a customs union with Brussels after Brexit.
Mr Fox told BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show: “I would say to my colleagues that Theresa May has kept a broad range of views on the European issue for a reason.
“We sat down with those differing views, we set out the issues, we looked at the options and we came to an agreement that we are all happy with.”
He added: “I hope that they will have an open mind and listen to what the Prime Minister says because I think that what the Prime Minister will set out will deal with a lot of the reservations that they have.”
Asked if legislation was being delayed because the Government would lose, he replied: “We want to persuade our colleagues of the merits of our argument before we take the Bill forward.”
Mr Fox said the Government wanted to sign new international trade deals during the transition period that could be implemented afterwards.
Asked if a deal would be ready with the US, Australia and other countries by the time the UK by the end of the implementation period, he replied: “We have got 14 working groups working with 21 different countries at the present time.
“We want to be able to take those negotiations as far as we can during that implementation period.”
Labour deputy leader Tom Watson said the party had not made a decision on how it would vote if the Tory rebel amendment on a customs union is put to the Commons.
“Obviously, their position is very close to Labour’s position,” he told ITV’s Peston On Sunday.
“I hope we can get to a point where the Government listen to us, they understand it is reckless to rule out any form of customs union.”