May accepts key amendments from Brexit hard-liners

LONDON — British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday accepted amendments to a customs bill put forward by Brexit hard-liners who oppose her plan for a “common rule book” with the European Union after the country leaves the bloc.

Even with those unwanted concessions, the government only barely won a Monday night vote, gaining 305 votes in favor and 302 against. The bill would prevent Britain from collecting tariffs on behalf of EU nations unless the EU does the same for the U.K.

The government avoided what would have been an embarrassing defeat, but the razor-thin margin reveals the fragility of Ms. May’s support as she tries to find a way to move the complex Brexit process forward.

A Downing Street spokesman said the government accepted the amendments because it sees them as consistent with the prime minister’s plan as set out in a formal white paper last week.

However, critics said Ms. May had caved in to pressure from Brexit supporters who want a complete break with Europe. They said the changes would greatly limit Ms. May’s ability to move forward with the plan that prompted two hard-liners in her Cabinet to resign in protest last week — and fresh resignations of lesser figures Monday.

The amendments seek to limit the government’s ability to set up the customs arrangements Ms. May has advocated, which would keep close ties to Europe. They were proposed by the European Research Group, the research arm of Ms. May’s Conservative Party which is headed by law maker Jacob Rees-Mogg.

“The Government unfortunately believes that Brexit is not a good thing in itself,” Mr. Rees-Mogg had told the BBC’s “Sunday Politics” program. “It seems to think it has to be tempered with non-Brexit.”

Another Conservative Party legislator, Anna Soubry, who opposes the “hard” Brexit that would see Britain leave the EU without a trade deal in place, said the government’s acceptance of the four amendments means that Mr. Rees-Mogg is now effectively “running Britain.” The skirmishes are expected to continue Tuesday when a different trade bill is debated.