The UK should remain a member of the Customs Union

Thanks for your response. To clarify my stance:I think it was an error in your typing but you said that: "You believe that since the referendum was simply on whether or not Britain should leave the customs union". Just to clarify, I said that the referendum was only about leaving the EU not about the customs union or single market. This is undeniably true. They are 3 separate institutions. Again, I also think that the fact it was a marginal vote and for every 14 leavers there were 13 remainers means that politicians need to be aware there is immense spectrum of opinion. To clear up your second interpretation, I have absolutely no idea how people would have voted if they were told it was going to be a hard brexit but what is true is that many people who voted leave did not want a hard brexit at the time. Therefore we have to be aware that there is no justifiable mandate from the British people to have a hard brexit. All we know is that overall most people want Breixt to happen and we absolutely must carry this out. Your spot on with my last point. I believe, based on the overwhelming body of economic evidence, that we would be better off staying in the customs union. Leaving it would put an unnecessary strain on the economy. You are also right that I believe that most of the debate was about immigration and therefore in order to end free movement we must leave the single market but not necessarily the customs union. Ok now onto my actual response. You are right that we cannot determine exactly what people voted for. Ultimately, our (more recently elected than the referendum btw) representatives in parliament must make an accurate interpretation of what public opinion is. You are right that assuming people would have voted remain if they had been offered a hard brexit is flawed. This is exactly my point. My point is that we cannot be absolutely sure what people want. Therefore, we have to put our fingers on the pulse of society and see what most people want from leaving the EU - immigration control and sovereignty. You then mentioned that if we had a vote now people would just say let's get on with it and leave the customs union. I think this would be more due to the fact that people may see this as sabotaging brexit and may be part of the "brexit means brexit" narrative than the actual issue. I point towards the recent success of Labour. They promised a softer brexit. There is public support for this. We have to respect that many people didn't want Brexit at all and ultimately a compromise must take place. There is no mandate for a hard brexit and neither is there for a soft brexit so we need to decide what direction people want the country to go in and what does the economy need. I have no need to respond to your points on the single market. I agree with you on that entirely. Next the economy. You are right in the sense that remaining in the customs union does not solve all the economic problems of brexit however it is much more satisfactory than jumping off a cliff edge which is what seems to be happening. Alongside a free trade deal which I believe we will get the customs union is crucial to the overall deal because a free trade deal alone still leaves our european trade very vulnerable. Businesses tell us every day that their companies will be harmed if we do not stay in the customs union. Outside the union means more waiting time, more transport costs and more customs declarations cost. UK business will become uncompetitive if we leave the customs union. Next you argue that we do not get the ability to set our own tariffs. This is true but why is that a problem. Most of the tariffs that the EU currently imposes are satisfactory for our economy. Furthermore, we are allies with the EU. What is wrong with having an integrated trade policy that suits us? Would we not imposes tariffs on Russia and China anyway? Do we really want chlorinated chicken? You then mentioned that we wouldn't be able to negotiate free trade deals with other nations. Why does that matter? Who are we actually going to be negotiating with? The reality is that it is much more attractive to do business with the EU than the UK alone. Therefore, let's stay close to the EU thus allowing us to reap the benefits of trade deals that they negotiate. Furthermore, the EU has a much more powerful negotiating stance when dealing with India, China and the USA than we would as a small economic unit therefore the terms of their agreements are likely to be more beneficial. Finally, I am confident that with a free trade agreement we will not gain the worst of both worlds as we will not lose 44% of our global trade. Overall, the EU are our real allies and best trade partners. Our economic future is crucially tied to Europe and remaining in the customs union alongside a trade agreement means we keep this crucial market open while allowing us have a strong negotiating stance when doing business with new countries. The reality is that post brexit is not going to be the good old days "trade deals all over the world" world that UKIP like to pedal. We are a small country who is tied to the EU so let's make sure we keep that relationship strong. Also 17% of global GDP is massive and considering that in order to eclipse that we would need to sign literally loads of new deals I think we need to get real and stick with the full course meal we already have rather than the bag of crisps offered by Bojo. In conclusion, there is no mandate to leave the customs union specifically so we must decide what makes sense for the economy and how we can appease roughly what the public wants. People want more devolution and sovereignty and immigration control. All of this can be achieved in the customs union whilst also protecting our economy. On a side note, this new deal which we negotiate will be judged for years to come so let's make sure its a good one if not I can't see the UK lasting much longer. I look forward to your response