Brexit could happen 'within DAYS' if MPs vote for Common Market 2.0 – EU expert claims
THE European Union could agree to open up the Brexit political declaration if the British Parliament agrees to remain part of the customs union as part of a new Common Market 2.0, EU expert Darren McCaffrey suggested.
Brexit to be delivered if MPs vote for Customs Union says expert
EU expert Darren McCaffrey suggested the European Union could agree to re-open negotiations with the British Government if MPs express support for staying in the customs union. Parliament is to hold a second round of indicative votes on Monday evening to test whether the chamber can reach a majority on a Brexit option. Speaker of the House John Bercow selected four motions for MPs to vote on, including a new customs union, the so-called Common Market 2.0, a second referendum and revoking Article 50 if no deal can be reached by April 12.
The Euronews reporter suggested the customs union could facilitate renegotiations as the proposal would be a clear and tested option.
Mr McCaffrey said: "The question about the customs union is that – first of all, we know what a customs union is.
"it is kind of a free pact, in a sense, it does mean they could change the political declaration quickly, which may suit the UK, but also suit Europe.
"I’m trying to work on the timeline of choreography if Britain did opt for this in the next couple of days, whether that means something can be delivered by the end of next week."
LISTEN HERE: Latest Brexit news from the Express.co.uk Final Countdown podcast
Brexit: DUP spokesman outlines Irish issue with customs union
Mr McCaffrey added: "It would ultimately mean Britain can still leave the European Union and not take part in the EU election which everyone here in Brussels, an in lots of parts of Europe, is very keen to avoid.
"What Europe doesn’t want is Brexit to consume every next EU council meeting, to consume continuous debate in this Parliament and elsewhere. That maybe it becomes infectious, some kind of disease that starts to travel elsewhere out of Europe."
The customs union option would meet with the approval of Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt, who claimed after the first round of indicative votes last Wednesday: "There was almost a majority in favour of a customs union with the EU.
"What we expect is that a proposal could reach a majority around the customs union and then we are prepared, on the EU side, to renegotiate the declaration and to include that customs union."
He added: “If that political statement is adjusted, I think a majority can be found in the British House of Commons, because you will get cross-border cooperation between Labour and the Conservatives.
“That new political statement can then be approved at a European summit on April 10 and then we will give the British the opportunity to formalise it in English legislation by May 22.”
The Labour Party announced earlier on Monday their MPs would be whipped to vote in favour of the Common Market 2.0 motion put forward by Conservative MP Nick Boles.
The Common Market 2.0 plan calls for an enhanced Norway-style deal which would include membership of the EU’s single market as well as a customs arrangement with the EU.
A similar proposal has already been put forward last week by the same MP, and was supported by 189 MPs, while 283 voted against it.