Tell your MP the UK needs to stay in the Customs Union

by patrickkeating on 23 April, 2018

On Thursday, MPs will be voting on a motion call on the UK to stay in the Customs Union after Brexit. Staying in the Customs Union would support manufacturing business that rely on frictionless access to European customers and suppliers, ensure our farmers are not hit by tariffs on their exports and importantly protect the Irish peace process by avoiding the need to impose a hard border across the island or Ireland.

We need MPs from all parties to vote in favour of this motion – this will send a strong signal to government that we do not want a damaging hard Brexit.

Please the template letter below to send an email to your MP asking them to vote in favour of staying in the Customs Union this Thursday:

 

Dear [your local MP, who can be found here]

On Thursday you will have a chance to vote on a motion for the UK to stay in the EU customs union after Brexit. I am emailing you now to ask you to vote in favour of this motion on my behalf.

The first and most important reason why we need to be in the customs union is to protect our industry. As I’m sure you are aware, the CBI has made a strong case for our continued membership, with Carolyn Fairbairn making the case that such a relationship is a ‘practical, real-world answer’ that is best for jobs, wages and living standards after the transition period ends. The purpose of a customs union is to remove tariffs between countries and so cut administrative burdens as goods move across borders, which is why the CBI is so supportive.

Some of the largest employers in the region, including Honda and Airbus have made clear that membership of the customs union is essential to their business.

The customs union is also vital for the many food and farming businesses that our economy depends on. Outside the customs union our farmers would be faced with paying the external tariffs on the huge proportion of the exports that go to other European countries. When margins are so tight and competition so fierce this is likely to mean the end of many farm livelihoods. I am entirely unconvinced that this trade can be replaced by trade with Australia or Argentina, both because of the additional costs associated with transport to distant markets and because many of the countries that the government proposed trade deals with are already major food exporters.

Finally, we have the question of the Irish peace process. I am sure you agree that the achievement of peace in the island of Ireland should not be put at risk by the process of Brexit. Staying in the customs union would considerably ease the issue of the Irish border. Brussels has made clear that it is entirely unconvinced by the so-called technical solution proposed by the government and that this will mean the need for a hard border unless the UK stays in the customs union.

Please do not be distracted by the argument over whether it should be the existing customs union or a new but similar arrangement. It is clear that for Brussels to agree such an arrangement the UK would be required to meet the conditions of the customs union as it currently exists: a bespoke deal is simply not on the table.

I am emailing you now to ask you to have the courage to vote for a strong future for your constituency and our national economy. Please have the courage to vote for the UK to stay a part of the customs union on Thursday.

[Be sure to add your name and address so your MP knows you are a constituent]

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