Labour will vote to keep Britain bound to the single market

Steven Swinford

Christopher Hope

LABOUR will use a crucial Brexit vote next week to attempt to keep Britain permanently tied to the single market after leaving the EU and bound by the European Court of Justice.

Jeremy Corbyn has tabled an amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill calling for “full access” to the single market, shared institutions and regulations with Brussels and “common minimum standards, rights and protections”. It is intended to see off a rebellion by up to 70 Labour MPS over a Lords amendment that would keep Britain in the European Economic Area.

However, it is still likely to see Britain forced to accept ECJ rulings and free movement in exchange for access to the single market. The UK would also pay into the EU budget for access.

The Labour leader, said: “We want the UK to have a better deal than the Norway [European Economic Area] model.” It comes as Theresa May is being warned by Right-wing Eurosceptic MPS that any climbdown on the Lords’ amendments would be “catastrophic” for the Government. It is understood Remainer Tories hope to force the Government to accept seven of 15 amendments during a marathon voting session in the Commons on Tuesday.

The Daily Telegraph understands Theresa May’s allies are privately prepared to accept defeat over Tory Rebel attempts to force Britain to stay in a customs union. The Prime Minister has made leaving the customs union a red line and is committed to fighting the 15 amendments. Allies say the customs union amendment is only “symbolic”. But the Government could also be willing to accept a bid to stop the Brexit date from being enshrined in law.

A dossier seen by The Telegraph states: “There are 15 amendments… collectively these would frustrate, delay and potentially reverse Brexit, and adds that taking the exit date out of law “would be domestically and internationally seen as a vote against Brexit.”