Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra has said it is in Scotland's interests to rejoin the European Union and has called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to make it happen.
In his first major speech since becoming Scottish Labour leader, Marra said full EU membership must be one of the options considered by the Prime Minister after committing to closer ties between the UK and Brussels. He urged Burnham to make rejoining the EU a key Labour manifesto commitment ahead of the next general election.
Marra's Call for Rejoining the EU
Speaking in Edinburgh, Marra said: "It is in Scotland's interests, and in the interests of the whole United Kingdom, for the UK to rejoin the European Union. The UK should rejoin the European Union and Scottish Labour will work to make that happen."
He acknowledged that reversing Brexit "will happen quickly" was not something he would pretend, but insisted it was an achievable goal. Marra added: "I don't pretend it will happen quickly. But I believe we should set it as a long-term objective for the UK, and that Scotland should lead the change in making that happen."
Why Rejoining Matters
Marra cited a "fragile and uncertain world" as the reason for his stance. "War has returned to Europe. Alliances we once took for granted are under strain. Climate change is reshaping our environment and our security. Artificial intelligence will change how we live and work in ways we are only beginning to grasp," he said.
He also highlighted Scotland's strategic position: "As the Arctic ice retreats, new shipping routes and strategic interests are opening up in the far north. Scotland, on Europe's northern edge, is going to matter more, not less. That means opportunities and it means very serious threats."
Brussels' Interest and Next Steps
Several senior MEPs told the Record there is a genuine desire in Brussels for the UK to rejoin, and claimed joining the Euro would not be a precondition.
Marra concluded: "In a world like this, relationships matter. We are stronger as part of the United Kingdom. And we would be stronger still as part of a Europe working together."
