Reeves Says Britain’s Future Lies in the European Union
In her first major intervention since leaving the Treasury, Rachel Reeves writes in the Sunday Times: “I do believe Britain’s future lies in the European Union.” She offers no timetable and does not say whether a referendum would be needed. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said any change would require a mandate at a general election.
Reeves wants confirmation of a youth mobility scheme at the forthcoming UK-EU summit and “progress towards entry” into the EU’s SAFE rearmament fund. She follows Sir Keir Starmer, who told the British-Irish Chamber of Commerce in Dublin on Friday that “a stronger Europe is vital and the UK must be at the heart of it”, calling the shift in American policy “a permanent change of affairs, not an aberration of the Trump presidency”. Two former holders of the top two offices now argue openly for a European turn the 2024 manifesto ruled out — no free movement, single market or customs union. The Conservatives say there is no desire to rerun the debate; Nigel Farage says there is no mandate.