Rachel Reeves says the UK has “reset” its relationship with the EU
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MPs have narrowly voted to introduce a Bill exploring the creation of a new UK-EU customs union in a move that will pile pressure on Labour’s Brexit policy.
Liberal Democrat Dr Al Pinkerton’s 10-minute motion split MPs precisely 100-100, leaving the deputy speaker to cast a deciding vote – which she did, for the ayes.
It means the Bill will move to a second reading in January. Labour MPs were instructed not to attend the motion, but were not formally whipped in either direction.
Top figures in Sir Keir Starmer’s government had insisted the UK would not break its pledge not to rejoin the customs union.
Earlier on Tuesday, Rachel Reeves said the UK had “reset” its relationship with the EU, and last week, Sir Keir insisted Labour would stick to its manifesto, which included promises to strengthen the UK’s relationship with Brussels without rejoining the customs union, single market or freedom of movement.
Sir Ed Davey said the Brexit deal was “making Britain broke and left “red tape everywhere” as he urged Labour backbenchers to support the motion.
The Lib Dem leader wrote to the prime minister accusing the government of so far “failing to take the steps necessary to begin, properly, the work of undoing the damage” of the deal secured under the Tories.
New UK-EU custom union proposal supported in the Commons
The Customs Union (Duty to Negotiate) Bill, was tabled by the Liberal Democrats’ Europe spokesman Al Pinkerton on Tuesday. The vote ended in a surprise tie of 100 to 100, giving the deputy speaker the casting vote.
The majority of Labour MPs had no vote recorded. However three voted against and 13 who voted in favour of the bill.
Four Reform UK MPs voted against the Bill and their party leader Nigel Farage did not vote, according to Parliament’s voting records.
Shaheena Uddin9 December 2025 23:00
Chair of the grooming gangs inquiry announced
Former children’s commissioner Anne Longfield will chair the inquiry into grooming gangs after months of delays.
The Independent’s Home Affairs correspondent Holly Bancroft reports:
Shaheena Uddin9 December 2025 22:30
Tories call for Reeves to apologise for ‘misleading’ country
Rachel Reeves should apologise for “misleading the country” about the public finances in the run-up to the Budget, the Commons will hear.
The Conservative Party will also call on MPs to join them in criticising the Chancellor for introducing £26bn worth of tax rises in the Budget, which they say breaks a manifesto promise.
In a Tory-led debate on Wednesday afternoon, the party will use a censure motion to call on Ms Reeves to apologise.
The Chancellor has faced questions about whether she misled the public after a letter from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) contested her narrative that she needed to raise taxes to fill a financial “black hole”.
Critics say she largely raised taxes after she scrapped the two-child benefit cap.
The Conservative Party is expected to ask “that this House calls on the Chancellor to apologise for misleading the country about the state of the public finances, rolling the pitch for raising taxes, breaking her promises and increasing welfare spending”.
The motion also said Ms Reeves should apologise for “misleading briefings and leaks” that “caused uncertainty for families, businesses and investors”, as well as for “breaking her promise after the last Budget that the Government was not going to raise taxes again, and instead raising taxes at the Budget by £26bn”.
Jane Dalton9 December 2025 22:00
UK member of the armed forces killed in Ukraine in ‘tragic accident’
A UK armed forces member was killed in Ukraine as he watched the testing of a new defensive capability, the Ministry of Defence has reported.
Defence Secretary John Healey said he was “devastated” by the man’s death in a statement on X.
The Ministry of Defence statement said: “It is with deep regret that we must announce that a member of the UK armed forces died in Ukraine this morning, Tuesday December 9.
“He was injured in a tragic accident whilst observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability away from the front lines.
“The family has been notified and our thoughts are with them at this sad and difficult time.”
Shaheena Uddin9 December 2025 21:45
Farage did not vote on EU Bill
Four Reform UK MPs voted against the Bill promoting a new UK-EU customs union, and party leader Nigel Farage did not vote, according to Parliament’s voting records.
Jane Dalton9 December 2025 21:30
Analysis: How scrutiny of Farage is affecting Reform UK
Jane Dalton9 December 2025 20:50
Yvette Cooper responds to Trump’s claims that Europe has “weak leaders”
Yvette Cooper has responded to Donald Trump’s claims that Europe’s nations are “decaying” and have “weak” leaders.
The foreign secretary was asked by journalists about the US president’s views and said: “What I see in Europe is strength.
“The strength and commitment to the support for Ukraine and also strength to step up to the plate and to ensure that we are increasing our investment in defence, and also ensure that we are doing our bit through the coalition of the willing, as well as through investment in military support and the energy infrastructure support that Ukraine needs.”
(AP)
Shaheena Uddin9 December 2025 20:30
Call for watchdog probe into Reform’s election expenses
Britain’s elections watchdog has been urged to investigate Reform UK’s election expenses, amid allegations of an overspend in Nigel Farage’s Clacton constituency.
Labour chairwoman Anna Turley called on Mr Farage to explain whether his party spent more than the £20,660 limit, and has written to the Electoral Commission.
Former Reform councillor and member of Mr Farage’s campaign team, Richard Everett, has claimed the party failed to declare spending on leaflets, banners, utility bills and a bar refurbishment in its Clacton campaign office.
Essex Police are assessing the claims.
Reform strenuously denies the allegations. A party spokesman said: “The party denies breaking electoral law. We look forward to clearing our name.”
He described the claims has having come from “disgruntled” former councillor, who has since left the party to sit as an independent.
Nigel Farage faces questions over his election expenses during his successful bid to become MP for Clacton (Ian West/PA) (PA Archive)
Jane Dalton9 December 2025 19:58
Sanctions against Russia and China-linked groups announced
Yvette Cooper announced sanctions on media outlet Rybar and its co-owner Mikhail Sergeevich Zvinchuk, claiming its Telegram channel and network of affiliates in 28 languages “reaches millions worldwide using classic Kremlin manipulation tactics, including fake investigations and AI-driven content”.
“Masquerading as an independent body, Rybar is, in fact, partially co-ordinated by the presidential administration and receiving funding from the Russian state corporation, Rostec, and working with members of the Russian intelligence services.”
The foreign secretary also launched action against Pravfond, as well as “Moscow-based so-called think tank” The Centre for Geopolitical Expertise and its founder Aleksandr Dugin.
She also announced action against “two of the most egregious” China-based companies, i-Soon and the Integrity Technology Group, for “advanced and indiscriminate cyber activities” against the UK and its allies.
Ms Cooper said: “Our message to those who would seek to harm us is clear: we see you in the shadows, we know what you are doing and we will defend ourselves.”
Shaheena Uddin9 December 2025 19:30
Bank of England expect Reeves’ budget to bring down inflation
Bank of England policymakers said they expect Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget to knock as much as 0.5 percentage points off inflation by next spring.
The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts also indicated that the budget policies will reduce inflation by 0.4 per centage points next year, alongside the freeze in rail fares.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has faced questions over statements made ahead of the Budget (PA) (PA Wire)
Shaheena Uddin9 December 2025 19:00
