The UK must draw closer to the booming economies of the Commonwealth rather than re-enter a "sad situationship" with Europe, according to political commentator Jonathan Saxty. Writing in the Daily Express, Saxty warns that Prime Minister Andy Burnham's conference speech this week signals a determination to betray Brexit, a move he says will be regretted.
Burnham's Brexit reversal
Saxty claims Burnham is "playing with fire" over Brexit, particularly in Red Wall seats where he faces direct contention with Reform. These constituencies are Leave-voting, aspirational and patriotic, Saxty argues. While voters there support the NHS and a decent welfare state, they do not want open borders, Brussels influence or "touchy-feely policing."
The PM also wants to end the triple lock, another policy popular in the Red Wall, according to Saxty. He suggests pollsters may be overestimating Labour's bounce in these areas.
EU in decline, Commonwealth rising
Saxty describes the EU as "the past," noting that even Hungarians and Poles have "a foot out of the door." He points to Icelanders rejecting the EU in a recent referendum, while Norwegians and Swiss are in no hurry to join the "sclerotic club."
Instead, Saxty advocates for greater integration with CANZUK – a union of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK – four states sharing a king, language, and legal and political systems. CANZUK would become the world's largest polity and third largest economy, with unmatched global defence reach and complementary economies, such as London's financial clout combined with Australian and Canadian resources.
Cultural closeness over proximity
Saxty argues that physical proximity matters less than cultural closeness. He predicts Burnham will rue reopening the Brexit debate while "conning voters" with a care service that would, at best, cover only half the costs. He concludes: "We need the Commonwealth, not a dying EU."
