A leading think tank has urged Andy Burnham's government to make EU membership its goal, arguing that Britain cannot face global challenges alone. The call comes as the Prime Minister prepares to outline options for the UK's long-term relationship with Europe at the UK-EU summit in Brussels next month, with rejoining the bloc reportedly among the possibilities.
IPPR Calls for Medium-Term EU Goal
On Monday (October 19), the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) published a report stating that the UK should make becoming an EU state its 'medium-term' goal, citing shifts in global politics over the past decade. The report argues that the UK lacks the 'scale' to address 'Russian aggression, American unreliability and Chinese coercion' independently, which it says restricts the nation's sovereignty and ability to act.
Harry Quilter-Pinner, IPPR's executive director, said: "The world Britain built its post-Brexit strategy for no longer exists. We are entering an age in which economic strength, security and political influence increasingly depend on scale, and Britain cannot manufacture that scale on its own."
Public Support for Rejoining
The report also argued that 'hedging' is 'a strategy for survival rather than success'. IPPR associate director Laura Chappell noted that the nation 'lacks the weight to act alone'. With the Brexit referendum having occurred a decade ago, the IPPR said there is now public appetite for EU membership. Polling conducted for the think tank by Persuasion UK in June found that 52 per cent of people supported rejoining, while only 29 per cent opposed.
Mr Quilter-Pinner stated: "There is one option which is best for the UK's relationship with Europe – membership of the EU. That does not mean announcing another referendum tomorrow. But this means starting work to move towards this destination, building political support at home and in Europe." The report's publication sets the stage for the Prime Minister's upcoming summit address, where the future of UK-EU ties will be central.
