Ruth Cadbury Defies Labour Whip Again Over Tax Bill
Supports amendment designed to leave door open to membership of Customs Union
Ruth Cadbury, MP for Brentford and Isleworth, has again defied her party’s whip in supporting an amendment to a Government Bill on the tax regime following departure from the EU.
She voted in support of Labour backbencher Ian Murray's amendment which would have exempted EU countries from any tariffs that the Government might impose after leaving the EU thereby protecting the Customs Union.
She was removed from the shadow frontbench along with neighbouring MP Andy Slaughter in June of this year after voting in favour of an amendment calling for the UK to stay in the single market.
The amendment to the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Bill was rejected late this Monday night (20 November) by 311 votes to 76 with 26 other Labour MPs as well as Conservative remainers Ken Clarke and Anna Soubry voting in favour.
18 members of the Labour frontbench including shadow chancellor John McDonnell voted against.
The Bill also give more details about how customs checks will be made after Brexit. Shadow Treasury minister Anneliese Dodds said that Mr Murray’s amendment would ‘worsen our situation’ and that the Labour position was to keep all options on the table.
Mr Murray responded, "Can I just say to her if she disagrees with the technical aspects of my amendment, but agrees with the principle of staying in the customs union, where are the frontbench amendments to do that?"
Ms Soubry said, "It can't be right that the overwhelming majority of honourable and right honourable members in this place agree that we should be in the customs union and the single market. And the only reason that that isn't even on the table anymore, and it's an uncomfortable truth, is because I fear my party is in hock to 30 to 35 hard, ideologically driven Brexiteers."
Ms Cadbury’s constituency voted to remain in the EU at the referendum by 56.7% to 43.3% Leave.
She is a strong supporter of the European Union, having voted against triggering Article 50 and Clause 1 of the EU Withdrawal Bill, which repeals the European Communities Act 1792 - the legislation for the UK originally joining the EU.
MPs return on Tuesday at 11.30am for Foreign Office questions before they resume consideration of the EU Withdrawal Bill at committee stage.
November 21, 2017
