Lib Dems on McFadden Customs Union comments: Govt missing "an open goal".

7 Dec 2025

EMBARGO: Immediate release

Responding to Work & Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden appearing to disagree with David Lammy’s comments earlier in the week saying the UK would benefit from a Customs Union, Liberal Democrat Europe Spokesperson Al Pinkerton said:

“This Government is missing an open goal. By continuing to ignore the opportunities that a Customs Union would bring, our economy will remain shackled and unable to grow.

“A bespoke UK-EU Customs union would be a vital step towards fixing the £90-billion-a-year black hole left by the Tories' catastrophic deal.

“We hope David Lammy, and other Labour MPs, will put their money where their mouths are and vote with us on Tuesday on our crunch customs union bill."

ENDS

Notes To Editors:

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden made the comments whilst speaking to Trevor Phillips on Sky.