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AFP
London
British Prime Minister Theresa May's plans to leave the EU's customs union after Brexit suffered a stinging blow in the House of Lords on Wednesday, setting the stage for a fresh round of parliamentary battles over her strategy.
An amendment to a key piece of Brexit legislation, requiring ministers to explain the steps taken to negotiate Britain's continued participation in a customs union with Brussels, was passed in the unelected chamber.
Lords voted by 348 to 225 in favour of the amendment, one of several defeats the chamber is expected to inflict on the government in the coming weeks as they debate the EU Withdrawal Bill.
Speaking during the Lords'debate, former governor of Hong Kong Chris Patten, who backed the amendment, dismissed the government's policy as"absurd"and said:"I don't think we will do better than we are doing within the customs union".
But fellow Conservative lawmaker Michael Forsyth warned the amendments risked"putting the peers against the people".
"What is going on here is an exercise by (pro-EU) Remainers in the House who refuse to accept the verdict of the British people and I believe they are playing with fire,"he said.
The new legislation sets the legal framework for Britain's exit from the bloc on March 29 next year.
Britain's Brexit department said it was"disappointed"by the Lords vote.
"Our policy on this subject is very clear. We are leaving the (EU) Customs Union and will establish a new and ambitious customs arrangement with the EU,"while signing global trade deals, a spokeswoman said.
Any changes to the bill will return to the elected House of Commons for debate, likely in May, when pro-European members of the ruling Conservative party will have to decide whether to make a stand.
The EU Withdrawal Bill debate will inform the biggest battle over Brexit, expected in October or November, when lawmakers vote on the final deal negotiated with Brussels.
Lawmakers will have to decide whether to back the government or reject the agreement -- with the risk that Britain could crash out of the EU next year without any deal in place.
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19/04/2018
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