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Britain 'could leave EU by 22 May if MPs vote for customs union'

  • Britain 'could leave EU by 22 May if MPs vote for customs union'
    The prime minister’s deal, in which the political declaration does not tie both sides to negotiating a customs union, has been voted down three times – by 230, 149 and 58 votes. Britain 'could leave EU by 22 May if MPs vote for customs union'
Region:
Europe
Category:
Politics
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Official close to Brexit talks says EU leaders could sign off political declaration on 10 April

Britain could be out of the EU by 22 May if the Commons backs a customs union in Monday night’s indicatives votes, according to officials close to the Brexit negotiations in Brussels.

With Downing Street’s agreement, a reference to the intention to negotiate an ambitious customs deal would be swiftly written into the political declaration and formally signed off at the EU leaders’ summit on 10 April.

Brussels would then expect all the necessary withdrawal legislation to be passed by parliament by the end of May to avoid the holding of European elections in Britain.

MPS were due to take part on Monday evening in a second round of indicative votes on a potential solution to the Brexit impasse.

The prime minister’s deal, in which the political declaration does not tie both sides to negotiating a customs union, has been voted down three times – by 230, 149 and 58 votes.