UK Think Tank Calls for Return to EU Membership
(MENAFN) The United Kingdom should make rejoining the European Union a medium-term objective to safeguard its economic prosperity, national security and democratic institutions, according to a report published Monday by a British think tank.
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) argued that "Russia's aggression, uncertainty over US policy and China's growing use of economic pressure" have weakened Britain's post-Brexit strategy and exposed the limitations of acting independently.
The report said the UK lacks the economic and strategic weight to address these challenges alone, urging the government to reconsider its approach to Europe rather than relying solely on individual trade and regulatory agreements.
"The world Britain built its post-Brexit strategy for no longer exists," IPPR Executive Director Harry Quilter-Pinner said in a statement.
"We are entering an age in which economic strength, security and political influence increasingly depend on scale, and Britain cannot manufacture that scale on its own," he added.
Polling commissioned by IPPR and Persuasion UK indicated that 52% of voters favored EU membership, while 29% preferred keeping the UK outside the bloc. Among respondents who expressed a preference, 64% supported joining, compared with 36% who opposed it.
A separate experiment that presented voters with different combinations of potential advantages, costs and arguments found average support for EU membership stood at 52%. Researchers also found that retaining the UK's current relationship with the EU was the least popular option among those presented.
A New Approach to European Cooperation
The report said the EU's role has expanded since Britain's departure, particularly in security, industrial policy and economic coordination. It pointed to increased defense spending, initiatives to strengthen industry and efforts to secure strategic supply chains.
IPPR called on the British government to develop a new strategy toward Europe, including closer cooperation on industrial policy and public procurement, as well as the establishment of a European Defense Alliance.
Under the proposed arrangement, Britain could provide capabilities in areas where European countries remain heavily reliant on the United States, including satellite communications, the report said.
The think tank also recommended strengthening public backing before seeking a mandate for EU membership, potentially through a new referendum or an explicit commitment in an election manifesto.
"It's time to stop talking about Brexit and focus entirely on the future," IPPR Associate Director Laura Chappell said.
"Whether it's protecting households from swings in the cost of living, restarting industry, or keeping us secure, we lack the weight to act alone," she said.
"In today's world, we can't take back control while being an outsider in Europe."
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in September that he would “lay out to the country” different options for the UK's long-term relationship with the EU, arguing that Brexit “has done more harm than good.”
Last week, Burnham also accused Russia of interfering in the 2016 Brexit referendum and warned that Russian “disinformation” was influencing political debates in France and Germany.
The UK formally left the EU in 2020, four years after a referendum in which approximately 52% of voters backed leaving the bloc.
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) argued that "Russia's aggression, uncertainty over US policy and China's growing use of economic pressure" have weakened Britain's post-Brexit strategy and exposed the limitations of acting independently.
The report said the UK lacks the economic and strategic weight to address these challenges alone, urging the government to reconsider its approach to Europe rather than relying solely on individual trade and regulatory agreements.
"The world Britain built its post-Brexit strategy for no longer exists," IPPR Executive Director Harry Quilter-Pinner said in a statement.
"We are entering an age in which economic strength, security and political influence increasingly depend on scale, and Britain cannot manufacture that scale on its own," he added.
Polling commissioned by IPPR and Persuasion UK indicated that 52% of voters favored EU membership, while 29% preferred keeping the UK outside the bloc. Among respondents who expressed a preference, 64% supported joining, compared with 36% who opposed it.
A separate experiment that presented voters with different combinations of potential advantages, costs and arguments found average support for EU membership stood at 52%. Researchers also found that retaining the UK's current relationship with the EU was the least popular option among those presented.
A New Approach to European Cooperation
The report said the EU's role has expanded since Britain's departure, particularly in security, industrial policy and economic coordination. It pointed to increased defense spending, initiatives to strengthen industry and efforts to secure strategic supply chains.
IPPR called on the British government to develop a new strategy toward Europe, including closer cooperation on industrial policy and public procurement, as well as the establishment of a European Defense Alliance.
Under the proposed arrangement, Britain could provide capabilities in areas where European countries remain heavily reliant on the United States, including satellite communications, the report said.
The think tank also recommended strengthening public backing before seeking a mandate for EU membership, potentially through a new referendum or an explicit commitment in an election manifesto.
"It's time to stop talking about Brexit and focus entirely on the future," IPPR Associate Director Laura Chappell said.
"Whether it's protecting households from swings in the cost of living, restarting industry, or keeping us secure, we lack the weight to act alone," she said.
"In today's world, we can't take back control while being an outsider in Europe."
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in September that he would “lay out to the country” different options for the UK's long-term relationship with the EU, arguing that Brexit “has done more harm than good.”
Last week, Burnham also accused Russia of interfering in the 2016 Brexit referendum and warned that Russian “disinformation” was influencing political debates in France and Germany.
The UK formally left the EU in 2020, four years after a referendum in which approximately 52% of voters backed leaving the bloc.
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