Britain Should Rejoin The European Union, Says Leading Think-Tank

Britain needs to eventually rejoin the European Union, according to a report published today by a leading think-tank.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said reversing Brexit “is the best way for the UK to cope with “Russian aggression, American unreliability and Chinese coercion”.

Andy Burnham has said he wants to agree closer ties with the EU to help boost economic growth at a summit next month.

The prime minister has also said he wants a national conversation on the UK’s long-term relationship with the EU, which will include the option of rejoining the bloc.

Burnham has previously said he would like to see the UK back in the EU in his lifetime.

The IPPR report says becoming an EU member again should be Britain’s “medium-term goal”.

Harry Quilter-Pinner, the IPPR’s executive director, said: “The world Britain built its post-Brexit strategy for no longer exists.

“We are entering an age in which economic strength, security and political influence increasingly depend on scale, and Britain cannot manufacture that scale on its own.”

The UK voted 52% to 48% to quit the EU in the 2016 Brexit referendum, and formally left the block in January, 2020.

But polling released by the IPPR found that 52% of voters now want to join the EU, compared with 29% who want to stay out. 

IPPR associate director Laura Chappell said: “Whether it’s protecting households from swings in the cost of living, restarting industry, or keeping us secure, we lack the weight to act alone.

“In today’s world, we can’t take back control while being an outsider in Europe.”

The think-tank said the government would need to take time to build a case for membership, suggesting working with the EU on defence, manufacturing and democratic resilience as steps on the way to full membership.

Quilter-Pinner said: “There is one option which is best for the UK’s relationship with Europe – membership of the EU.

“That does not mean announcing another referendum tomorrow. But this means starting work to move towards this destination, building political support at home and in Europe.”

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