Deputy Speaker Caroline Nokes announces the result (Image: Parliament TV)
Thirteen Labour MPs have voted in favour of a Liberal Democrat Bill that would require the Government to negotiate a new customs union with the European Union, contributing to a tied vote that allowed the measure to advance on the casting vote of the Deputy Speaker.
The Customs Union (Duty to Negotiate) Bill, introduced under the 10-minute rule by Liberal Democrat Europe spokesman Al Pinkerton, passed its first stage in the House of Commons after 100 MPs voted aye and 100 voted no. Deputy Speaker Caroline Nokes cast the deciding vote in favour, in line with parliamentary precedent for tied divisions on such motions, to permit further debate. The bill is scheduled for second reading on January 16, 2026.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, pictured at Number 10 today, did not vote (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
A total of 200 MPs participated in the vote out of 650 members. The remaining 450, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and the majority of the Cabinet, did not vote. Labour instructed its members to abstain, with only 16 recording a vote: 13 in favour and three against. Roughly 400 Labour MPs abstained.
The 13 who voted aye included several figures from the party’s Left-wing, such as Richard Burgon (Leeds East), a longstanding ally of former leader Jeremy Corbyn; Dawn Butler (Brent East), a vocal advocate on equality issues; and Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Clapham and Brixton Hill), known for her campaigns on social justice.
Other supporters included Dame Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch), chair of the Public Accounts Committee; Imran Hussain (Bradford East); and Afzal Khan (Manchester Rusholme).
The group also featured backbenchers Sadik Al-Hassan (North Somerset), Fleur Anderson (Putney), Tonia Antoniazzi (Gower), Marsha de Cordova (Battersea), Peter Lamb (Crawley), James Naish (Rushcliffe), and Dr Simon Opher (Stroud).
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who now sits as an independent (Image: Getty)
The vote breakdown for the 100 ayes was as follows: 65 Liberal Democrats, 13 Labour, 8 Scottish National Party, 4 Plaid Cymru, 3 Green Party, 2 Social Democratic and Labour Party (Northern Ireland), 1 Alliance Party (Northern Ireland) and 4 independents.
Opposition to the bill came from 89 Conservatives, plus tellers David Simmonds (Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner) and Andrew Snowden (Fylde). The remaining no votes included 4 Reform UK MPs, 3 Labour MPs, 2 independents, 1 Traditional Unionist Voice (Northern Ireland) and 1 Ulster Unionist Party. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage did not vote.
The Bill’s progress highlights ongoing tensions within Labour over post-Brexit relations with the EU. It follows comments last week by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who suggested on a podcast that countries like Turkey had benefited economically from a customs union with the EU.
Sir Keir quickly clarified that such an arrangement was not Government policy, reaffirming the 2024 Labour manifesto’s commitment to closer EU ties without rejoining the customs union, single market or freedom of movement.
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Earlier on Tuesday, Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper challenged Ms Reeves in the Commons, accusing the Brexit deal of imposing red tape on businesses and damaging public finances. Ms Reeves responded by outlining the Government’s recent “reset” with the EU, including agreements on veterinary standards, energy trading and youth mobility schemes like Erasmus.
She added that the administration was pursuing trade deals with growing economies such as India and the United States to drive economic growth.
Conservative former minister Simon Hoare, a Remain supporter in the 2016 referendum who has since backed the result, opposed the motion. He argued it would create uncertainty for businesses and undermine the Government’s efforts to build a stable UK-EU relationship outside formal membership structures. Mr Hoare noted the EU’s lack of interest in reopening such negotiations.
Ten-minute rule bills like this one seldom advance without Government support, which Labour has ruled out. It is expected to lapse for lack of parliamentary time unless ministers intervene, an outcome they have indicated they will not pursue. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey described the result as a “historic victory,” urging Starmer to reconsider his red lines to boost growth and public services.
The vote has reopened one of the most sensitive political debates in modern Britain: whether Brexit should remain a settled constitutional decision or whether the country should gradually move closer towards the European Union.
For supporters of the bill, the vote represents an opportunity to repair economic damage they believe was caused by leaving the EU. They argue that a closer trading relationship, particularly through a customs union, would reduce barriers for British businesses, improve supply chains and make it easier for exporters to compete in European markets.
Liberal Democrats and pro-European Labour MPs have argued that Brexit created unnecessary friction for companies that previously traded freely across the continent. They claim that a customs union would not mean rejoining the European Union but would instead provide a practical arrangement focused on trade and economic cooperation.
However, critics argue that the move represents the beginning of a wider attempt to reverse Brexit without directly asking voters for approval. They point to the 2016 referendum result, when millions of people voted to leave the EU, and warn that politicians must respect that decision.
Conservative MPs have accused Labour rebels of ignoring the wishes of Brexit voters, particularly those in traditional Labour-supporting communities that backed Leave. They argue that any attempt to rebuild EU links must not come at the cost of national control over laws, borders and trade policy.
The issue places Sir Keir Starmer in a difficult position. The Prime Minister has attempted to maintain a careful balance by promising closer relations with Europe while repeatedly ruling out returning to the single market, customs union or freedom of movement.
Labour’s leadership fears that reopening the Brexit debate could divide the party and alienate voters who supported Brexit, especially in former industrial areas where Labour made significant gains in 2024. At the same time, some Labour MPs believe that improving relations with the EU is essential for economic recovery and that public attitudes towards Brexit have changed since the referendum.
The division reflects a broader challenge facing British politics. Brexit remains one of the most important political issues of the last decade, but public opinion has continued to evolve as voters experience the practical consequences of leaving the EU. Some believe closer cooperation is necessary to rebuild prosperity, while others see it as an attempt by politicians to undo a democratic decision.
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s support for the bill adds another layer to the debate. Corbyn was a long-time critic of aspects of the EU but opposed the Brexit deal negotiated after the referendum. His backing highlights how opposition to the current Brexit arrangements now crosses traditional political boundaries.
For Reform UK and Nigel Farage, the vote provides an opportunity to present themselves as defenders of Brexit. The party has repeatedly warned that the political establishment is attempting to reverse the referendum result through gradual changes rather than a direct challenge. Reform is expected to use the controversy to strengthen its appeal among voters who feel Brexit has not been fully delivered.
Meanwhile, businesses remain divided. Some industries have welcomed efforts to reduce trade barriers with Europe, while others argue that political uncertainty itself is damaging investment. Many companies want a stable long-term relationship with both European and global markets rather than another major constitutional battle.
The second reading of the Customs Union (Duty to Negotiate) Bill in January is unlikely to automatically change government policy, but the political significance of the vote is already clear. It has exposed continuing divisions within Labour, placed pressure on Starmer’s leadership, and demonstrated that Brexit remains far from a closed chapter in British politics.
As Parliament moves towards further debate, the central question will remain whether Britain should focus on making Brexit work independently or whether closer alignment with Europe is the only realistic path towards stronger economic growth. For voters who supported Leave, the answer is clear: Brexit must be respected. For those who backed Remain or have become disappointed with the outcome, the argument is equally strong that Britain must adapt.
The battle over Britain’s future relationship with Europe is therefore unlikely to disappear. Instead, it may become one of the defining political struggles of the years ahead, shaping elections, party divisions and the country’s economic direction for generations to come.