Don’t be fooled by talk of reversing Brexit, after a Labour “rebellion” shunted the idea of a bespoke customs union with the EU to the top of the political agenda.

A vote on Tuesday in the Commons saw a Liberal Democrat motion, which proposed ministers negotiate a customs union (An agreement that means countries don’t pay tariffs to move goods or services between them), pass by a single vote.

Despite the non-binding nature of the vote and the abstention of most Labour MPs, 13 of them contradicted the party’s established position. Included in the list was Meg Hillier, chair of the influential Treasury Select Committee, seen as a significant get by the Lib Dems.

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey rashly dubbed the win a “historic victory,” although there is zero chance of a Ten Minute Rule Bill (t

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