A former chancellor breaks cover on Europe
Rachel Reeves, who served as chancellor before Andy Burnham took office and removed her from the role, has written that Britain's place should be within the European Union. In an article for the Sunday Times, the Labour former cabinet minister described the departure from the bloc as having damaged the country's prosperity, its strength and its safety. She also said she took pride in how far the relationship with Brussels has already been rebuilt.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6][S7][S8]
Reeves made clear that she welcomed the prime minister's leadership on the question, arguing that a discussion about the long-term relationship with Europe is now necessary. She added that her sympathies on the matter had never been in doubt among Treasury colleagues. At the same time, she insisted that those who favour rejoining must make their case, show concrete gains and ensure the sequencing of any next steps is handled correctly.[S1]
Burnham's cautious timetable
Burnham has set his sights on concluding agreements covering food and drink, emissions trading and a youth mobility scheme when he meets EU leaders at a summit next month. Beyond that point, he has told ministers, the aim would be to examine what options exist for the longer-term relationship. In a letter to his cabinet, he wrote that any fundamental change to the post-Brexit settlement would be a matter for the public and would fall to a later parliament.[S1]
The prime minister has also cautioned individual ministers against campaigning for particular choices or predicting how any renegotiation might end. Reeves said she hopes the coming summit will confirm the youth mobility scheme and deliver movement toward entry into Security Action for Europe, a rearmament programme announced in March as part of the EU's response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A defence pact reached with the EU in May opened the way for British-based defence firms to join projects financed by that scheme.[S1]
