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.
Read more: MPs decide to begin reversing Brexit with talks on new EU customs union
Read more: Brexit fears as Keir Starmer refuses to rule out rejoining EU five times
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.
Laura Kuenssberg grills Nick Thomas-Symonds over Brexit betrayal
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.
David Lammy appeared to back the idea of a customs union last week (Image: Getty)
Full voting breakdown (100 ayes)
Liberal Democrats: 65
Labour: 13
Scottish National Party: 8
Plaid Cymru: 4
Green Party: 3
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Alliance Party: 1
Independents: 4
The 13 Labour MPs who voted aye
Sadik Al-Hassan (North Somerset)
Fleur Anderson (Putney)
Tonia Antoniazzi (Gower)
Richard Burgon (Leeds East)
Dawn Butler (Brent East)
Marsha de Cordova (Battersea)
Dame Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch)
Imran Hussain (Bradford East)
Afzal Khan (Manchester Rusholme)
Peter Lamb (Crawley)
James Naish (Rushcliffe)
Dr Simon Opher (Stroud)
Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Clapham and Brixton Hill)