UK needs ‘national consensus’ over rejoining EU, David Miliband says
Former foreign secretary David Miliband argues the UK needs a 'national consensus' on rejoining the EU, calling for a 'much higher dosage' of engagement after the government proposed a single market for goods.
David Miliband believes the UK's future prosperity hinges on a strong, institutionalized relationship with the EU, criticizing the government's current approach as insufficient. He emphasizes the need for a national consensus and highlights the evolving role of Ukraine within the EU's considerations.
Imagine the UK and the EU are playing a game. The UK wants to get better at the game, but the government is only trying a little bit. David Miliband says we need to try *really* hard, like a super-charged version of the game! The EU is also changing because Ukraine is joining, which is like a new player joining the game. The EU is talking about different ways for Ukraine to play, but the UK needs to agree on how it wants to play too. And, the UK also needs to think about how to make sure everyone has a fair chance to play, especially young people.
Analysis
David Miliband, speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, expressed his conviction that the UK’s security and prosperity are intrinsically linked to a ‘deep and strong relationship’ with the European Union. He sharply criticized the government’s current strategy, describing it as ‘only worth £9bn by 2040’ and insufficient for a nation with a £3tn economy. According to the former foreign secretary, the government’s approach – pitching a single market for goods to the EU – represents a ‘reset’ that falls short of what’s needed. He argued that the UK needs a ‘much higher dosage’ of engagement, reflecting the profound changes occurring within the EU, particularly with Ukraine’s increasing importance. Miliband noted that Brussels’ primary concern is now Ukraine’s potential membership, with discussions surrounding associate membership and varying tiers of integration. He referenced a German proposal, championed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, for Ukraine to participate in EU meetings without voting rights, a move described by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as ‘unfair’. Miliband also touched upon broader domestic challenges, including the transformation of the UK economy by new technologies and the need to invest in younger generations, specifically those aged 16 to 24, who are currently not engaged in education or training. He stressed the importance of a ‘massive debate’ about wealth creation, equitable distribution, and the future of government, emphasizing that focusing on ‘who’ rather than ‘what’ would be a critical mistake. He concluded by stating that the world has fundamentally changed in the two years since the general election, necessitating a shift in the UK’s approach.
Key points
- David Miliband believes the UK needs a ‘national consensus’ to rejoin the EU.
- He argues the government’s current approach to engaging with the EU is insufficient.
- The EU is shifting its focus to Ukraine’s potential membership and associated arrangements.
- Miliband highlights broader domestic challenges, including investment in young people and economic transformation.
