Scottish Labour leader says UK rejoining EU ‘not a realistic prospect’
Michael Marra said that current political conditions in Europe mean the bloc is not in a position to consider a British return.
In Liverpool, Scottish Labour's newly appointed leader, Michael Marra, expressed his belief that the possibility of the United Kingdom rejoining the European Union (EU) is "not a realistic prospect" at present. He attributed this to "huge political instability" across Europe, citing issues such as global economic instability, Middle East challenges, and migrant crises.
Speaking at the Labour Party Conference, Marra pointed out that the shifting political landscapes in key EU member states, Germany and France, have made it unlikely for Britain to rejoin on conditions that might be considered reasonable. Despite this, Marra acknowledged that he would back a U.K. effort to rejoin the EU if Europe were to change in the future.
He urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to pursue a pragmatic approach to strengthening ties with the EU, emphasizing the economic costs of Brexit. Marra's remarks come amidst internal Labour debates about the UK's future relationship with Brussels, with former Prime Minister Tony Blair advocating for a plan to rejoin a "reformed EU" in the next decade.
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