Jeremy Corbyn's Brexit speech - as it happened: Labour leader backs UK membership of a customs union after leaving EU

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Jeremy Corbyn has committed Labour to keeping the UK in a customs union with the European Union as he set out a shift in his party’s Brexit policy.

In a speech in Coventry, Mr Corbyn argued the move would enable Labour to secure “full tariff-free access” to the single market but without committing to all of its rules.

The Labour leader said: “Britain will need a bespoke relationship of its own. Labour would negotiate a new and strong relationship with the single market that includes full tariff-free access and a floor under existing rights, standards and protections.”

“Labour would seek to negotiate a new comprehensive UK-EU customs union to ensure that there are no tariffs with Europe and to help avoid any need for a hard border in Northern Ireland."

David Lidington, the Cabinet minister, also used a speech in north Wales to address tensions between Westminster and the devolved administrations.

Mr Lidington said the UK Government had made a “considerable offer” to the devolved administrations with a commitment that the “vast majority” of powers returning from Brussels will start off in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast rather than Whitehall.

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