Rachel Reeves, former UK Chancellor, stated that the future of this country should be in the European Union and considered Brexit a factor that weakened the UK. In an article published in the Sunday Times, she emphasized that Brexit has made the UK poorer, weaker, and more insecure.
Criticism of Brexit
Reeves, who was dismissed by Andy Burnham, the new Prime Minister of the UK, said: “I take pride in the progress we have made in strengthening our relations with the European Union. Brexit has made us poorer and weaker.” She also pointed out the importance of discussing future relations with Europe and welcomed Burnham's leadership in this regard. Reeves added: “No one in the Treasury ever doubted how I felt.”
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The necessity of providing reasons for returning to the Union
Reeves also noted that while she believes in Britain's future in the European Union, supporters of returning to the Union must provide convincing reasons and demonstrate tangible benefits for doing so. She said: “It is up to the supporters of returning to the Union to make this argument and properly outline the next steps.”
In the last election, the Labour Party's manifesto, which Reeves played a role in drafting, stated that a Labour government would remain outside the European Union. However, at the Labour Party conference in September, Burnham called for closer relations with the European Union. Reeves' comments come ahead of a leaders' summit later this month, where she hopes to at least see approval for a youth mobility scheme she is pursuing.
At the summit on November 20, the European Union and the UK hope to sign agreements in various areas including trade and climate regulations.
