The world has changed. Britain can renew the EU and be a part of it
If Donald Trump has a virtue, it is forcing the world to think again. He is a vandal but he is also a messenger, revealing a trend towards an America more self-involved and less interested in the world than it has been for a century.
From Sudan to Ukraine, this America wants to do less. It wants nothing to do with global agreements that might constrain its tech giants. It is ready to decouple the world’s biggest economies, leaving the rest to pick sides. Pax Americana has given way to Unreliable America. For the UK this is a moment to revisit fundamental assumptions and decisions. A rethink is essential, above all on Britain’s relationship with Europe.
On 19 May Keir Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen will announce an EU-UK reset. Preparations throughout Whitehall have been defined by caution. Even those most enthusiastic about reforging a relationship with the EU have assumed that the best Britain can do is pursue a “maximalist” approach within self-imposed red lines.
The Observer has taken a clear and consistent position against leaving the EU and the absurdity of a hard Brexit that was never on a ballot paper. Even so, a taboo has grown around the very subject of Britain in Europe. For two reasons, it’s time to end that taboo.
First, the opening act of Trump 2.0 has underlined how much Britain and Europe need each other. There is now a gulf within the west over the principles of sovereignty and self-determination. Europe recognises Ukraine’s borders as integral to its identity as an independent country. The Trump administration doesn’t.
Second, it is clear that Brexit has not delivered for the UK. In 2016 voters could disagree in good faith on globalisation, immigration and their impact on living standards. Nine years on there is no doubt that leaving the EU has damaged Britain economically and socially. Many who voted to leave for good reasons see it hasn’t worked and threatens the UK’s prospects on defence, technology and growth.
This is the moment for Starmer to step up on Europe – to set out an offer to the EU. Britain should say that it wants to renew the EU and be part of it. Renewal means requiring the EU to rein in its more meddlesome instincts. It promises a Europe focused on core tasks, forged in the shared interests of security, independence and prosperity.
Britain’s offer should involve signing up to the customs union but not free movement
This Europe is a good deal. It builds infrastructure to cut energy costs that eat away at living standards. It’s a Europe that invests in innovation rather than leaves us at the mercy of US and Chinese tech giants. It presses ahead with the capital markets union, adding to the UK’s strength in financial and professional services, and pouring money into green companies. It creates a common market in defence and the technologies of national security.
Britain’s offer should involve signing up to the customs union but not free movement. The UK is not the only home to Eurosceptics; if the EU wants to sell a future to its citizens, it should show that it has listened to the arguments made by British leavers. Today we’re publishing – at length – an argument by Nick Clegg for a fundamental overhaul of the EU. He makes the case for the rapid admission of Ukraine as a member and a Brussels remade around defence, energy and innovation. There will be people who don’t like the message, and want to shoot the messenger. The former deputy prime minister has made more enemies than friends cohabiting with the Conservatives and troubleshooting for Meta’s carelessness in an age of galloping misinformation. But we believe in breaking taboos and making evidenced argument. Mr Clegg does that.
There is a mistaken view that this debate will play into the hands of Reform. But the politics of Brexit have shifted. Polling by the Good Growth Foundation shows large majorities, including among people who voted Labour last year but are now considering Reform, favour closer relations with Europe because of Trump’s closeness to Putin.
In 1940 Winston Churchill looked forward to a time when the New World, with all its power and might, would step forth to the liberation of the Old. America is sabotaging its power and might. Europe must stand up for itself, and Britain with it.
Photograph: Ukrainian Presidency/Anadolu via Getty Images
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