Philip Rycroft, the former permanent secretary of the Department for Exiting the EU, has said it is time to talk about rejoining the European Union, sparking a fresh debate on the UK's future relationship with Brussels. The call comes as the government pursues an EU 'reset' and faces internal divisions over closer alignment.
Rycroft's comments have been echoed by other political figures. According to multiple reports, Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has called for Labour to go into the next election with a promise to rejoin the EU. Green party leader Zack Polanski has also said he is 'very much' in favour of rejoining the EU, according to major media reports. The SNP and Plaid Cymru want to secure independence for Scotland and Wales, respectively, within the EU, as reported by major media.
Most economic analysis suggests that we have taken a significant hit to GDP as a result of leaving the single market. The precise number, and the impact on our export performance to the EU and beyond, might be subject to debate, but no one can credibly claim that we have marched to the sunny uplands of sustained economic growth as a consequence of Brexit.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer is attempting to reboot his premiership with a King's Speech expected to include legislation to align UK law with Brussels's regulations as part of his EU 'reset', according to major media reports. However, Labour's manifesto ruled out returning to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement. Senior Labour figures, including the Chancellor, regularly blame Brexit for Britain's economic woes and support close alignment with the EU, according to major media. A number of cabinet ministers want Keir Starmer to push harder on trying to join a customs union or the single market, as reported by major media. In January, the prime minister said the UK should consider 'even closer alignment' with the single market, which was preferable to a customs union.
Opposition to rejoining has been strong from some quarters. Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel warned that Sir Keir's plans would result in the 'w' (incomplete), according to major media.
The great promise of a comprehensive trade deal with the USA now seems like an impossible dream.
Rycroft made his case for rejoining on economic and security grounds. He wrote that most economic analysis suggests the UK has taken a significant hit to GDP as a result of leaving the single market. He said the promises of the Brexit campaign on issues from economics to immigration had not lived up to expectations. He also said the great promise of a comprehensive trade deal with the USA now seems like an impossible dream. On security, he argued that with a hot war in Europe and a disengaged America, the UK must look to solidarity with Europe for security. In a direct quote, Rycroft said: "Most economic analysis suggests that we have taken a significant hit to GDP as a result of leaving the single market. The precise number, and the impact on our export performance to the EU and beyond, might be subject to debate, but no one can credibly claim that we have marched to the sunny uplands of sustained economic growth as a consequence of Brexit." He also said: "The great promise of a comprehensive trade deal with the USA now seems like an impossible dream." On security, he stated: "Chill winds don't just blow through the international trading order. The postwar certainties that underpinned our security as a nation are visibly crumbling. With a hot war on the European mainland perpetrated by a revanchist Russia and an increasingly disengaged America, it is beyond peradventure that we must look to solidarity with our friends and neighbours in Europe to secure our defences." He concluded: "The argument is there to be won. It is time to talk about rejoining. It might be time to knock on the EU's door."
However, Rycroft acknowledged that rejoining the EU could be a 'long and windy' road, according to major media reports. The path to rejoining would require overcoming significant political and procedural hurdles, including the need for a new referendum and unanimous approval from all EU member states. The level of public support for rejoining remains unclear, and it is uncertain whether Keir Starmer will change his position on the single market or customs union. What specific legislation will be included in the King's Speech regarding EU alignment is also unknown.
Chill winds don’t just blow through the international trading order. The postwar certainties that underpinned our security as a nation are visibly crumbling. With a hot war on the European mainland perpetrated by a revanchist Russia and an increasingly disengaged America, it is beyond peradventure that we must look to solidarity with our friends and neighbours in Europe to secure our defences.
Separately, concerns were raised at the European parliament over EU citizens in the UK and British citizens in Europe post Brexit, according to major media reports. MEPs heard about worries over the rights of children born to EU citizens in the UK who did not know they had to apply for settled status. A senior official in the European Commission's post-withdrawal agreement unit said the UK approach has significant consequences for newborn children, resulting in very high healthcare charges. The Home Office was criticised at the European parliament hearing for ending funding for charities assisting vulnerable EU citizens making late applications for settlement. How the UK government will address these concerns remains to be seen.
The argument is there to be won. It is time to talk about rejoining. It might be time to knock on the EU’s door.
The UK approach has significant consequences for newborn children, resulting in very high healthcare charges.