Would a Labour government take Britain out of the customs union after Brexit? It’s a simple enough question – but not it seems if you’re the shadow international trade minister, Bill Esterson. The Labour MP has been busy touring the airwaves this morning, criticising the government for its Brexit transition period plans. While Esterson is quick to find fault with the Tory approach, he is less keen to answer questions on what the plan would be if Jeremy Corbyn made it to Downing Street. On the Today programme, he refused repeatedly to say where Labour stood on the issue:
Justin Webb: …does that mean being in the customs union or out? Bill Esterson: Well I think lurid headlines in tabloids don’t really deal with substance. JW: It’s a really simple question: should we stay in it long term or not? BE: That’s why you negotiate, isn’t it? At the moment we’ve got a conservative government. I mean if they can’t deal with it perhaps they will step aside and let us get on with it.
Fresh from that unenlightening interview, Esterson was at it again – this time on Radio Five Live.
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