In a stark reminder of the realities of Brexit, former EU officials have cautioned that should the UK seek to rejoin the European Union, it cannot expect to regain the unique privileges it once enjoyed. As discussions about a potential return to the bloc gain momentum among Labour Party leaders, the consensus among seasoned negotiators is clear: Britain would face a distinctly different set of terms than before.
A Warm Welcome, But No Special Treatment
Georg Riekeles, a former adviser from the EU’s Brexit taskforce, emphasised that while EU member states may greet a British application with cordiality, it would be accompanied by a firm resolve. “There is a strategic need for the EU and the UK to work together,” he stated. “However, I don’t believe there would be any appetite to reopen the door to decades of British exceptionalism. The price of re-entry would be membership on standard terms.”
During its 47 years of EU membership, the UK enjoyed a plethora of bespoke arrangements, including opt-outs from pivotal policies like the euro and the Schengen Agreement. It also received a rebate on its budget contributions, all while influencing EU policy from within. Such privileges, however, will not simply be reinstated.
Sandro Gozi, a former Italian minister and current MEP, reiterated that negotiations for re-entry would start with the standard conditions applicable to any candidate nation. “The tailor-made suit is gone,” he asserted, signalling a clear shift in the negotiating landscape. “The UK must address all the issues that any applicant would face.”
Internal Divisions in Labour Over EU Membership
The prospect of rejoining the EU has reignited fierce debate within the Labour Party, with prominent figures like Wes Streeting advocating for a future return. Streeting, the former health secretary, asserted that any move towards rejoining would necessitate either a general election or a referendum, underscoring the necessity of consulting the British public.
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has similarly expressed a desire for Britain to rejoin the EU within his lifetime, although he clarified that he would not pursue this aim immediately if he ascended to the premiership.
Gozi reflected on the broader implications of Brexit, declaring it a “major disaster” for both the UK and the EU. He suggested that if the UK sought to rejoin in the current climate of global uncertainty, it would be a significant triumph for the European political model — not over the UK, but as a testament to the EU’s allure.
Alternatives to Full Membership
The conversation surrounding Britain’s future relationship with Europe is not limited to full re-entry. Gozi pointed out alternative paths, such as associating with the single market or participating in a proposed European security council. “The options are more than simply full accession,” he stated, emphasising that it would ultimately be up to the UK to decide its preferred course.
Poland’s foreign minister, Radosław Sikorski, echoed this sentiment, urging British leaders to grasp the fundamental European principle that benefits arise from a degree of shared sovereignty. He stressed the need for British elites to “internalise” this concept rather than cling to the notion of a la carte membership that characterised the UK’s past relationship with the EU.
The Long Road Ahead
Riekeles, now associated with the European Policy Centre, highlighted the importance of a stable national consensus within the UK before any formal application is entertained. “The EU can collaborate with a UK that knows what it wants,” he remarked. “It struggles with a UK that seeks the benefits of integration while maintaining the politics of separation.”
In the face of global challenges such as Russian aggression, economic coercion from China, and the isolationist tendencies of the Trump era, Riekeles argued that both the UK and the EU must recognise their interconnected strategic interests. Yet, he remained realistic about the current state of affairs, stating, “Are we there now? Not yet.”
The European Commission, through its chief spokesperson Paula Pinho, has refrained from commenting on potential negotiation terms, preferring to focus on upcoming discussions aimed at fostering closer cooperation rather than speculating on the future of UK-EU relations.
Why it Matters
As the UK grapples with the implications of its decision to leave the EU, the prospect of rejoining looms large on the political horizon. This debate not only reflects a yearning for stability in an increasingly volatile world but also underscores the profound complexities of international relations in a post-Brexit context. The path forward will undoubtedly be fraught with challenges, and the stakes could not be higher for both the UK and the EU as they navigate this pivotal moment in their histories.
