Tory Brexit moderates and business groups have made a last-ditch attempt to push for Theresa May’s preferred customs plan, with the business secretary warning that thousands of jobs would be at risk unless there is frictionless trade. A meeting of May’s Brexit inner cabinet on Wednesday broke up without agreement but apparently with a narrow majority against her preferred option. With no new meeting of the Brexit cabinet yet scheduled, discussions could resume at the full cabinet on Tuesday. Q&A Brexit phrasebook: what is the customs union? Customs union members cannot negotiate their own trade deals outside the EU, which is why leaving it – while hopefully negotiating a bespoke arrangement – has been one of the government’s Brexit goals.

Source: The Guardian May 06, 2018 12:53 UTC