Summary
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared that Britain will not choose between the U.S. and the EU, pledging to strengthen ties with both as Donald Trump prepares to assume the U.S. presidency.
In a major foreign policy speech, Starmer emphasized rebuilding relations with Europe and maintaining the “special relationship” with the U.S., while urging increased European defense spending and preparing Ukraine for peace talks.
Starmer rejected past Tory policies of neglecting alliances, outlined plans for a UK-EU defense pact, and ruled out a return to freedom of movement or the EU single market.
They’d absolutely take them back if they asked.
But they’ll never get their concessions back, if they want to rejoin the Pound will need to be replaced with the Euro, THe Ireland/UK CTA will need to be scrapped and replaced with Schengen, etc.
UK got a LOT of concessions to join the first time around that are now gone forever.
All UK passports should be titled EUROPEAN UNION… AGAIN just to rub it in.
I would assume some of the concessions would come back, but definitely not to the same extent as before, e.g. Schengen yes, Euro no.
Why?
For the EU, it makes absolute sense to demand the UK checks off all the current membership criteria they demand - otherwise Romania and Croatia are going to feel like second class citizens, and the next EU enlargement is going to be a shitshow of negotiations with each member trying to pick and choose.
There’s also the spite/making an example argument, why should a former member get to create chaos in the union and dominate the debate (for YEARS) seeking a sweetheart exit deal, only to be let back in with all the rights and special privileges granted in the 70s?
Getting the UK back is beneficial to all EU member states both as the second biggest economy and biggest military power of the continent. No other potential member state has anywhere near these benefits
Türkiye, if they’re still interested
Second biggest NATO defense spender, ‘developing economy’ for globalization and offshoring exploitation, major fossil fuel pipelines, significant ally who can shut off the Black Sea transit route legally and pen in the Russian warm water fleet, and a big geopolitical bridge to the Middle East. Erdogan is no saint mind you, but I would pick them as a strategic ally over Israel any day.
The UK has promise and a long history of cooperation unlike Türkiye, but they threw the baby out with the bath water and have maintained an outsized deference to the US. What doe Britain honestly bring the bloc economically aside from the London financial markets?
Sure, if Turkey gets the fuck out of EU member Cyprus and drops the threat of war against EU member Greece. Those done, yes, a friendly, peaceful, democratic Turkey would be a fantastic addition to the EU.
Ha, good one!
Thy should have to give up Northern Ireland 😈