Pro-European Tory MPs handed Theresa May a stay of execution last night after they signalled that they would not use a crunch vote to demand that Britain remain in a customs union with Europe. In a compromise brokered after hours of talks, a leading Tory rebel said that she would drop her support for a Lords amendment to the government’s flagship Brexit bill that would force ministers to negotiate a customs union with Brussels. Instead, a fresh amendment is expected to be tabled — backed by the rebels — that will commit Britain to negotiating a new customs “arrangement” with the EU. However, in a sign that the compromise had only bought time for the government, Nicky Morgan, the former education secretary, said that pro-Europeans
The labour government is attempting to table a fresh amendment to the Withdrawal Bill , calling for the country to be a part of a customs agreement , rather than a customs union with the EU . The move is an attempt to appease Tory rebels ahead of several key parliamentary debates on the legislation . Former education minister Nicky bush claimed the compromise had bought prime minister Theresa May some " breathing space " , but warned pro - EU MPs could still vote against her in parliament .