Guy Verhofstadt, the former Belgian prime minister and EU Brexit coordinator who was Nigel Farage's arch foe during the Brexit campaign, has resurfaced on the 10th anniversary of the 2016 referendum to argue that Britain should rejoin the European Union. Verhofstadt, now 73, is promoting his new book Defeating Trumpism, which he uses to attack US president Donald Trump and outline a strategy against populism. He told the Express that Brexit has made Britain's relationship with Europe "more complicated, more costly and more frustrating," and that the promises of 2016 have not matched reality.
Verhofstadt's Federalist Vision
In 2010, Verhofstadt co-founded a group to push for a European Federation, aiming to transform the EU into a single, sovereign superstate similar to the United States. This vision would replace the absolute sovereignty of individual nation-states with a shared federal government unifying defence, foreign policy, and economic management. Farage famously clashed with Verhofstadt in the European Parliament, branding him "a fanatic and EU nationalist" and calling him the "high priest" of the EU temple. Verhofstadt viewed Brexit as a personal affront and grave insult to the EU project.
Brexit Anniversary Remarks
On the 10th anniversary of the 2016 vote, Verhofstadt argued that Britain's natural place is in the EU. He stated: "A decade on, Brexit has not resolved Britain's relationship with Europe. It has merely made it more complicated, more costly and more frustrating. The promises made in 2016 have not matched reality. Trade barriers have increased and Britain has found itself outside the room when decisions affecting its future are taken." He added that in the face of Russian aggression, economic competition, climate breakdown, and technological change, European cooperation is stronger than ever. Verhofstadt called on young Britons to reverse Brexit, saying: "The generation that lost its European citizenship without being asked should not resign itself to a permanent loss. Political decisions can be reversed, and the next chapter of Britain's European story has yet to be written."
Labour's European Ambitions
The article, written by Express columnist Giles Sheldrick, warns that Verhofstadt's comments will be welcomed by Labour, which is seen as seeking to take Britain back into the EU under new leadership. Sheldrick notes that Verhofstadt previously labelled leave voters "extremists" a decade ago and continues to push for full EU membership, telling remainers the bloc is "waiting for you." However, the article argues that Britain is now able to innovate and regulate independently in areas from agri-tech to AI, without being forced to work in lockstep with the slowest-moving EU member state. It criticises Labour for lacking confidence in Britain's strengths and for being unwilling to embrace independence.
Public Reaction and Context
The 2016 referendum saw 17.4 million people vote to leave the EU, a decision Farage is credited with delivering. Verhofstadt's reappearance comes as the Express runs a subscription offer for its Brexit anniversary coverage. The article concludes that Verhofstadt is "barking up the wrong tree" and that the prospect of Britain being "shackled to Brussels" is real under Labour but ultimately misguided.
