But ending EU membership leaves a spectrum of options, notably in the question of the single market and customs union. Both men want out of the customs union because member countries cannot sign external trade deals. Meanwhile, UK insistence on leaving the customs union is the direct cause of Mrs May’s current difficulties in Brexit negotiations in relation to the island of Ireland. For the Tories there is at least ideological consistency in flight from the single market and customs union. Now it is time for the opposition to bring a defence of the single market and customs union out from the shadows of the Tory hard Brexit agenda.

Source: The Guardian November 26, 2017 19:52 UTC