Customs Union

Now PM’s talks with Corbyn are over, it’s unclear if “indicative votes” will go ahead. But leaked version of her plan is full of unicorns.

Leaving out services (80% of our economy) from customs union plan would gum up trade with EU. Deals with other countries will be tricky too.

Is it a longer transition? Or the backstop by another name? Or a new unicorn? Labour shouldn’t fall for it.

Excitable commentators suggest Corbyn and May are close to agreeing a Brexit policy. Even if true, political obstacles to it are immense.

Public are fed up with Brexit. The only way to stop obsessing about it is to stop Brexit - not to reach a fudge that prolongs the pain.

We’d be stuck with Irish backstop, goods wouldn’t flow freely, services would be thwacked and we’d be turned into trade eunuchs.

White House is against UK-EU customs union, Congress won’t sign off deal without one. Brexiters’ transatlantic trade dream is going nowhere.

Trade secretary says a customs union would be the worst of both worlds. But he draws the wrong conclusion. We should stay in the EU.

PM extended offer to work on joint Brexit plan with Labour leader or submit to will of Parliament. Corbyn should probe her sincerity.

New referendum came top. But soft Brexit ideas also did well. We now need extra time to explore these properly.

It isn’t fully specified. Parts are not deliverable. And if it ever came to pass, it would turn us into rule-takers on a massive scale.

Most popular “soft Brexit” option isn’t really a plan, just part of one. Until it’s fleshed out, it’s just another type of blind Brexit.