Why Labour needs 'betray Brexit' a lot more than it's currently doing
It’s time for Labour to seriously consider rejoining the EU Customs Union because of the economic benefits this would bring
To cries of “betrayal” from diehard Brexiteers, the UK Government has announced it’s rejoining the European Union’s Erasmus+ scheme. Quite how a simple exchange programme – British students will be able to study, train and gain work experience in European countries from 2027 – can arouse such passions is hard to say.
It does come with a hefty fee of £570 million, but the Prime Minister’s spokesperson said that the UK would “receive most of that money back to distribute amongst the UK beneficiaries”.
There’s more bad news in the pipeline for those who are ideologically opposed to co-operation with our European neighbours. Labour is to start talks with the EU about participating in its internal electricity market, which they believe could result in lower energy bills, and a deadline has been set to reach an agreement about a food and drink trade deal.
Back to Brussels
The news about Erasmus+ prompted Conservative Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel to fulminate: “Labour continue to betray Brexit. They've constantly undermined the 2016 referendum result and are obsessed with dragging Britain back under the control of Brussels...”
However, does anyone really feel that their lives have improved because of the return of the sovereignty pooled with other European countries while the UK was in the EU? The supposed benefits feel rather theoretical and nebulous.
READ MORE: How Chancellor Rachel Reeves missed obvious way to kickstart UK economy: a Customs Union with EU
£90 billion in lost tax revenues
On the other hand, import/export companies and, indeed, anyone who has tried to buy something from a European firm lately will understand the extra complexities that get in the way of wealth-generating trade.
The downsides to Brexit are tangible and real, and the UK economy is paying a heavy price. A recent analysis by the House of Commons Library estimated Brexit is costing the Treasury up to £90 billion a year in lost tax revenues.
So the more we ‘betray Brexit’, the better. Unravelling this monumental act of economic self-harm won’t be easy, but the next step should be rejoining the Customs Union, the benefits of which may persuade any remaining doubters that a return to the EU would not be a betrayal but an act of loyalty to our own best interests.
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