Former British Chancellor says Britain’s future lies inside the EU

Former British Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the UK’s future should be within the European Union, arguing that Brexit has left the country “poorer, weaker and less secure”.

Writing in the Sunday Times in her first major intervention since leaving the Treasury, Reeves said her instincts had never been in doubt among Treasury colleagues. She welcomed the debate on Britain’s relationship with Europe, but said supporters of rejoining must make the case, show tangible benefits and get the next steps right.

Her comments sit awkwardly with Labour’s last manifesto, which pledged to stay outside the EU and make Brexit work, and ruled out free movement, single market membership and a customs union. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called for an honest discussion about the future relationship, but says any change would need a mandate at a general election, due by 2029.

Reeves hopes the forthcoming UK-EU summit will confirm a youth mobility scheme and show progress towards joining the EU’s SAFE defence scheme.

The Conservatives said there is no appetite to rerun the Brexit debate, with leader Kemi Badenoch saying she “can’t even believe we are reopening” it. Reform UK’s Nigel Farage said there is no mandate for closer EU ties.

via The Guardian