PM says it’s ‘imperative’ Brexit happens by summer recess

Theresa May has set out her Brexit compromises she is prepared to make with Labour, despite an earlier warning singing to a customs union will split the party.

The prime minister held a two hour meeting in Downing Street along with David Lidington, and revealed her plan to break the deadlock with Labour.

In the meeting cabinet ministers debated the UK’s post Brexit customs relationship with the EU.

They also debated whether or not to ask MPs to vote a range of goals in parliament.

May’s official spokesman said, “Cabinet agreed to continue discussions with Labour to see what was possible however it was agreed that it is imperative to bring forward the withdrawal agreement deal in time for it to receive Royal Assent by the summer parliamentary recess.”

Prior to the meeting 14 Tory backbenchers wrote to May over signing up to any post Brexit customs union.

Earlier today the chairman of the 1922 committee, Sir Graham Brady wrote to May asking her not to agree a post-Brexit customs union with the European Union.

Sir Graham said in his letter, “We believe that a customs union-based deal with Labour will very likely lose the support of Conservative MPs, like us, who backed the withdrawal agreement in March [in many cases very reluctantly], and you would be unlikely to gain as many Labour MPs to compensate.

“More fundamentally, you would have lost the loyal middle of the Conservative Party, split our party and with likely nothing positive to show for it.”