Prospect of UK Rejoining the EU Discussed by Peter Mandelson
Peter Mandelson suggested that the United Kingdom might begin discussions to rejoin the European Union within a decade. He emphasized the critical need to address the economic issues caused by the Brexit deal while stressing the difficulty of reversing Brexit due to EU politics. Mandelson noted that while Brexit had harmed productivity, underinvestment under recent Conservative governments was a significant economic barrier.
Peter Mandelson has asserted that the UK may initiate discussions to rejoin the European Union within 10 years, a timeline that differs from Labour leader Keir Starmer's outlook.
Speaking in Edinburgh at an event hosted by Reform Scotland, Mandelson emphasized the crucial need to alleviate the negative consequences of the Brexit deal orchestrated by Boris Johnson on the UK’s economy.
He pointed out that while Brexit has harmed productivity, underinvestment during the last 14 years of Conservative governance has been the primary barrier to economic growth.
Mandelson endorsed Chancellor Rachel Reeves' approach of reforming borrowing rules to increase investment in the UK.
Nevertheless, Mandelson highlighted the challenges of reversing Brexit due to EU politics, despite predicting that economic factors might make the possibility of rejoining relevant in the future.