The Guardian view on Britain and Europe: a changing world demands new terms of debate
The world has changed dramatically since the Brexit referendum and politics needs to catch up
TL;DR
- British politics is experiencing a familiar cycle of prime ministerial struggles and party desperation, partly due to Brexit's unfulfilled promises.
- The global geopolitical landscape has changed significantly since 2016, with increased focus on continental defence and energy security.
- The EU is prioritizing 'strategic autonomy' and discussing potential negotiators for the Ukraine war, aiming for greater agency in international affairs.
- As a non-EU member, Britain is excluded from these crucial European conversations, despite its military strength and existing ties.
- There is a growing internal debate within the Labour party regarding Britain's relationship with the EU, with some advocating for rejoining and others for avoiding old arguments.
- The article argues that a new conversation about Europe is needed to reflect current global realities, rather than rehashing old Brexit debates.