Reeves says Britain’s future lies in the EU

Former Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said she believes Britain’s future lies in the European Union, arguing that Brexit made the country poorer, weaker and less secure. Her comments add a prominent Labour voice to debate over the UK’s long-term relationship with the bloc, but do not amount to an announced policy decision to rejoin. In an article published in The Sunday Times, Reeves said supporters of rejoining must make their case, demonstrate tangible benefits and get the next steps right. She welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s decision to reopen discussion of the relationship with Europe, and said she was proud of progress already made in strengthening ties. Reeves identified the UK-EU summit scheduled for November 20 as an immediate opportunity to confirm a youth mobility scheme and make progress toward UK participation in the EU’s Security Action for Europe defence partnership, known as SAFE. She described those as steps she hoped to see; the reports do not establish that either outcome has been secured. One report said ministers had agreed to a scheme allowing 80,000 young Europeans to live and work in the UK each year. But the terms and formal status of the...