UK Requires National Consensus on EU Rejoining, Says David Miliband
David Miliband, former UK foreign secretary and current president of the International Rescue Committee, has emphasized the need for a "national consensus" regarding the United Kingdom's potential rejoining of the European Union. This statement follows disclosures that UK government officials have proposed a single market arrangement for goods with the EU.
Miliband expressed that the UK requires a reset of its relationship with the EU at a "much higher dosage" than the government currently plans. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme about the recent proposals, he stated he was "absolutely convinced" that the UK's security and prosperity depend on an "institutionalised, deep and strong relationship with the rest of Europe."
"When the government says we want a reset of our relations with [the EU], I think that’s a good thing, but then when I look at the reset so far, [which] is only worth £9bn by 2040 and I remember that Britain is a £3tn economy, I’m left saying no, we need a much higher dosage in our reset."
When asked if he would advocate for rejoining the EU, Miliband clarified that building a national consensus on the UK's position with the EU is essential. He added that he supports rejoining as a long-term objective but acknowledged that the pre-2016 deal is no longer attainable.
"What we have to do is build a national consensus about our position with the [EU]. I’m very happy with it as a long-term goal … I want this strong institutional relationship with the European Union, but then I know the deal we had until 2016 is not available now; we’re not going to be able to get that deal again."
Miliband noted significant changes within the European Union, highlighting Ukraine's growing importance. He remarked that the EU's current focus is on Ukraine's potential membership rather than Britain's re-entry.
"The big issue for Brussels today is not Britain joining; it’s Ukraine joining," Miliband said. "They’re talking about associate membership for Ukraine; they’re talking about different tiers of membership."
Comments on UK Political Leadership and Challenges
Regarding the ongoing Conservative Party leadership challenge, in which his brother Ed Miliband may have influence, David Miliband expressed greater concern about government policies than leadership changes.
"Britain is in the eye of a global storm. The global order is being ripped up. Our economy is being transformed by new technology. Our welfare system needs to shift from a focus on older people to an investment in younger people – a million people between the age of 16 and 24 [are] not in education or training," he said. "We have got a massive debate to have in this country about how we spur wealth creation, distribute it fairly [and] reinvent the way in which a government works … If we spend all our time talking about who, not what, we’re going to miss the point. The ‘what’ questions are absolutely key."
When questioned about whether the Labour Party requires new leadership and if the UK needs a new prime minister, Miliband responded:
"When the world changes, we have to change. And in the two years since the general election, the world has changed fundamentally."
