Rare tie in Commons vote sees customs union bill progress

A Liberal Democrat bill requiring the UK to begin negotiations on joining a bespoke customs union with the EU has moved to the next stage after a vote in the House of Commons was tied.

One hundred MPs voted in favour and 100 against the proposal leaving Deputy Speaker Caroline Nokes to cast the deciding vote. She told MPs she would back the bill "in order to allow for further debate".

It is the first time a vote has been tied in the House of Commons since 2019, when MPs voted on alternative plans for Brexit.

Although the bill has progressed, it is highly unlikely to become law unless it receives government support.

Speaking last week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said rejoining the EU's customs union was "not currently our policy" but said he wanted to build close trading ties with the EU.

The UK left the customs union - which eases trade barriers by allowing the 27 EU member states to charge the same taxes on goods - after the country voted for Brexit.

In its 2024 manifesto, Labour promised not to rejoin the EU's custom union or its single market.

The government has been trying to build a closer relationship with the EU including through deals on food standards rules, electricity trading and visas for young people.

Speaking in Parliament, the Liberal Democrat's Europe spokesperson Al Pinkerton told MPs his customs union bill would "cut red tape, unlock investment and restore certainty to British business".