Reeves says UK's future should be inside the EU
In her first major intervention since leaving the Treasury, Rachel Reeves says Brexit has made the UK "poorer, weaker and less secure".
By BBC News
Rachel Reeves has said she believes the UK’s future lies inside the European Union, arguing that Brexit has made the country “poorer, weaker and less secure”.
The former chancellor made the comments in an article for the Sunday Times, in her first major intervention since leaving the Treasury.
Ms Reeves said she welcomed a debate about the UK’s future relationship with Europe and backed Andy Burnham’s leadership in addressing the issue.
“No-one in the Treasury ever doubted where my instincts were,” she wrote. “I do believe Britain’s future lies in the European Union.”
She said supporters of rejoining the EU would need to make the case for membership, demonstrate clear benefits and ensure that any next steps were properly planned.
Ms Reeves also pointed to the forthcoming UK-EU summit, saying she hoped it would confirm an ambitious youth mobility scheme negotiated earlier in the year. She also expressed hope of progress towards the UK joining the SAFE defence partnership.
The comments place Ms Reeves among the most prominent Labour figures to speak openly in favour of the UK eventually rejoining the EU.
Labour’s 2024 election manifesto ruled out reversing Brexit, while the current government has pursued closer ties with the bloc without seeking to restore membership.