Sussex Lib Dem MPs claim win in Parliament on debate on return to EU Customs Union

On Tuesday, 9th December, Sussex Lib Dem MPs for Mid Sussex, Chichester, Horsham, Lewes and Eastbourne backed a Liberal Democrat bill requiring the government to begin negotiations on joining a bespoke customs union with the EU.

The bill, introduced by Lib Dem MP for Surrey Heath, Dr Al Pinkerton, would place a duty on the Secretary of State to enter into negotiations with the European Union to agree a customs union between the UK and EU.

Although a return to negotiations with Europe is not in the Labour manifesto, 13 of the government’s own MPs supported the Liberal Democrat bill. Excitingly, the vote on the bill was tied, with 100 MPs voting each way. It was then up to the Deputy Speaker to cast the deciding vote, who backed the bill to allow for it to be debated further in line with precedent.

Reflecting on this win, Alison Bennett, MP for Mid Sussex, said: “I was proud to vote for this bill today. The government needs to accept that a customs union is the best way forward for our country’s future.

This would boost UK growth, insulate us from global trade fluctuations, cut red tape for our businesses and could generate £25 billion a year for the Exchequer. With these savings, the government would be able to invest in fixing our NHS, schools and social care system, which are all crying out for investment.”

John Milne, MP for Horsham, continued: “I've spoken to many businesses across Horsham in recent months, and the message I'm hearing is clear: they're drowning in red tape that's stifling their ability to grow.

A bespoke customs union with the EU would be a key step forward in addressing this, cutting through bureaucracy and getting our economy moving again. It would also bring the investment that our NHS, schools and social care desperately need. We will keep pushing the government to back our plans.”

Discussing the impact of Brexit on her constituents, Jess Brown-Fuller, MP for Chichester, explained: “When I speak to local businesses in Chichester, they tell me they are seeing firsthand the damaging effects of a botched Brexit deal on their ability to grow. This vote marked the start of recognising the importance of a closer trading relationship with our European partners to boost economic growth.

A bespoke customs union could generate £25bn in tax receipts for the Treasury, increasing the size of the pie and helping to tackle the cost-of-living crisis for people across the whole of the UK, including in Chichester.

This was a great step, but it is only the beginning. We in the Liberal Democrats will continue to push the Government to improve our ties with Europe.”

About the importance of a customs union, James MacCleary, Lib Dem MP for Lewes, said: “We need a customs union now to fix our trade with our largest trading partner. It’s a no-brainer for growth and could generate £25 billion for the Treasury. It is a pragmatic step towards fixing our broken relationship with Europe, and I am proud to have voted for it.

In January this year I introduced a similar bill for a Youth Mobility Scheme, at the time the government opposed it, now it looks like it will be policy. They saw the light then and they need to do the same now. The lever to unlock growth is right there, the government just need to be brave enough to pull it.

Before becoming an MP, I ran a small business, and I saw first-hand the damage Brexit is doing to our businesses in Sussex. If we want growth, we must cut through the Brexit bureaucracy and get on with doing business with our European partners.”

This bill is currently scheduled to be debated once again on Friday 16th January 2026.