Think-tank urges UK to rejoin EU over Russia and Trump threats

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 00:19 · Archive

The IPPR says the UK should eventually rejoin the EU to counter Russian aggression and American unreliability.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has published a report arguing that the UK should eventually rejoin the European Union to counter Russian aggression and what it describes as American unreliability. The think-tank says full membership is the best way for Britain to protect its prosperity, security and democracy, and should be a 'medium-term goal'. Harry Quilter-Pinner, IPPR 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.'

Prime minister Andy Burnham has said he wants to agree closer ties with the EU to boost economic growth and has previously indicated he would like to see the UK back in the EU in his lifetime. He has also said he wants a national conversation on the UK's long-term relationship with the EU, which will include the option of rejoining.

Polling commissioned by IPPR found that 52 per cent of voters now want to join the EU, compared with 29 per cent who want to stay out. Even among Labour voters considering switching to Reform, 54 per cent want to join the EU, compared with 36 per cent who want to stay out. The IPPR suggests the government should work with the EU on defence, manufacturing and democratic resilience as steps towards full membership.

How it is being reported

• Britain Should Rejoin The European Union, Says Leading Think-TankA Union flag waves behind a European Union flag, outside the Houses of Parliament, in London, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022. Britain needs to eventually rejoin the European Union, according to a report published today by a leading think-tank. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said reversing Brexit “is the best way for the UK to cope with “Russian aggression, American unreliability and Chinese coercion”. Andy Burnham has said he wants to agree closer ties with the EU to help boost economic growth at a summit next month. The prime minister has also said he wants a national…HuffPost UK · 19 Oct, 00:05
• UK must rejoin EU to combat growing threat from Russia and Trump, Burnham warnedIPPR urge Labour leader to ‘stop talking about Brexit’The Independent · 19 Oct, 00:01

In this story: Institute for Public Policy Research · European Union · Andy Burnham · Russia · United States

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