No, I don't accept that point, and I'll explain why shortly.

We also, in this debate, need to consider the crucial question of climate change. How can it be good from a climate change perspective to be travelling more goods from even further countries? That trade with closer markets must be protected if we're serious about tackling climate change. Now, I was already anticipating the question, 'Can you be in the EU customs union if you're not an EU member state?' The answer to that question is, 'Yes, you can'. The EU customs union is made up of EU member states and, importantly, includes some territories that aren't in the European Union, like the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. And, in terms of negotiating a new customs union, it's already been stated by the EU that the UK cannot get a deal as good as we've got now.