Rachel Reeves has amplified her calls for closer ties with the European Union, suggesting that Brussels could be a more significant ally for the UK than the United States, especially if Donald Trump is re-elected.
Reeves, a Labour MP, made these remarks during a speech at Harvard University, where she posited that the "geopolitical centre of gravity" is shifting away from America. She argued that Britain's future security and prosperity are best served by strengthening its political and economic partnership with the EU.
"For Britain, there's obvious economic interests, common values, and basic geography which all point towards Europe," Reeves stated. She expressed her "profound disagreement" with Trump's policies, which she claimed have weakened allies. Reeves cited Trump's trade tariffs, actions concerning Iran, and his administration's stance on Ukraine's conflict as examples of policies that do not foster strength by undermining alliances.
Reeves's comments follow a period of praise for Andy Burnham's initiatives aimed at fostering a closer relationship with Brussels. In her address at the Institute of Politics at the Harvard Kennedy School, she reiterated her belief that Britain's future lies within the European Union. She described the bloc as the "single biggest opportunity to boost living standards and generate the revenue to invest in public services, but also deepening our security."
She highlighted the economic impact of Brexit, noting that estimates suggest it has cost the UK up to 8 percent of its GDP, or £200 billion. Reeves contended that ignoring such data is not a viable approach for anyone proposing improved public services and lower taxes.
Reeves indicated that a Labour government would aim to convince both the British public and the EU, which she characterized as "serious and open to compromise," of the benefits of closer alignment. She suggested the upcoming EU-UK Summit would be an opportune moment to present Britain's case for deepening "dynamic alignments."
Labour has been working to rebuild ties with the EU since Brexit, according to Reeves. These efforts include discussions about readmitting the UK to the Erasmus student exchange program, contributing to a Ukraine Support Loan, and developing a revised Youth Mobility Scheme to facilitate employment opportunities for individuals aged 18 to 30 in the UK.
Meanwhile, Andy Burnham has clarified that his proposals do not include the return of freedom of movement between the UK and the EU. He has called for an "honest discussion" about how temporary migration from Europe has been replaced by a larger number of long-term residents since Brexit. Burnham aims to secure agreements on food and drink, emissions trading, and a youth mobility scheme at an EU summit on November 20. He has also indicated that subsequent periods would involve exploring options for a long-term relationship that would eventually be put to the public.
Reports suggest that draft texts for potential deals on food and agriculture, emissions trading, and youth mobility have been circulated among EU members. Burnham's recent statements have sparked discussions about the possibility of the UK rejoining the EU or adopting its freedom of movement rules. However, he has stressed that he will not proceed ahead of public opinion on the matter of Brexit.