Europe is the future; Europe is the solution
This was the title of a talk given by Brendan Donnelly, former MEP and Director of the Federal Trust and now Leader of the Rejoin EU Party following on from East Kent for Europe AGM on Thursday, 20th March. In his talk he discussed the current state of public opinion on Brexit and the political landscape surrounding potential EU re-entry. Donnelly also addressed the challenges facing Keir Starmer’s position on Brexit and the European Union, the implications of Brexit on the UK’s role in Europe, and the potential implications of Donald Trump’s presidency on international relations. The discussion also touched on the UK’s need for migrants, the European Union’s resilience, and the potential for increased European cohesion.
Brendan Donnelly’s career
Chris Hammond, East Kent for Europe Chair, introduced Donnelly, who began his career in the Foreign Office in 1976, and, supported by his linguistic skills and after a spell in the British Embassy in Bonn in the late 70s, was soon involved in the European Parliament (EP), working in the Secretariat of the Conservative Group in the EP. His career has been deeply rooted in European politics and matters; in 1994 he represented Sussex South + Crawley as a Conservative MEP, later becoming Independent, and eventually a LibDem. He worked in the Community, co-founded the Pro-Euro Conservative Party and set up various other pro-EU Parties. He was also Director of the Federal Trust for over 15 years from 2003. Needless to say, he has a strong European background and is fully committed to his European ideals.
Scepticism about gradual approaches to rejoining the EU
Donnelly spoke about the current state of public opinion on Brexit and the political landscape surrounding a potential EU re-entry. He noted that a majority of people now view Brexit as a mistake, despite a lack of leadership from major political parties on the issue. He criticised the Labour Party’s proposed “reset” of EU-UK relations as insufficient, arguing that ruling out rejoining the Customs Union, single market, and freedom of movement prevents any meaningful reset. He expresses scepticism about gradual approaches to rejoining the EU and emphasizes the need for British politicians to address misconceptions about EU membership. Donnelly also discussed the concept of federalism in relation to the EU, arguing that it is not inherently centralising and that the UK’s historical approach of “cherry-picking” EU benefits contributed to Brexit.
Brexit, Trump, and European security
Donnelly then spoke about the challenges facing Keir Starmer’s position on Brexit and the European Union. He suggested that Starmer’s reset may raise unrealistic expectations and that there is growing impatience in the EU about the UK’s hesitancy. He also addressed the impact of Donald Trump’s potential second term, highlighting how Trump’s views on international relations, trade, and Western values contradict established norms. He emphasised the need for Europe, including the UK, to reassess its security relationship with the US and noted the renewed discussions about European defence capabilities in light of these changes.
Brexit’s impact on UK’s European role
He moved on to the implications of Brexit on the UK’s role in Europe, emphasizing that the UK’s voice in geostrategic debates will be significantly reduced. He also highlighted the challenges faced by the European Movement in balancing credibility and clarity of its message, particularly under the former Conservative government. He suggested that the present UK government’s approach to the European Union might become unsustainable, and he predicted a shift in British public opinion towards a more European identity.
Trump’s influence on global relations
Donnelly spoke about the potential implications of Donald Trump’s presidency on international relations and the United States’ position in the world. He suggested that Trump’s influence might persist beyond 2028 and could lead to significant changes in America’s global standing. He also compared the rise of Trump to the Brexit movement in the UK, noting that both tapped into a sense of disillusionment among certain segments of society. He emphasised the need for a clear vision for Europe, focusing on values and democracy rather than creating a new entity. He stressed the importance of understanding the European Union and its potential for improvement.
UK’s migrant workforce and Labour concerns
He discussed the UK’s need for migrants due to skills shortages in the workforce, noting that Brexit has ironically increased economic migration from different sources. He explained the distinction between migrants and refugees, highlighting the UK’s refugee application numbers compared to other European countries. He also addressed the Labour Party’s concerns about the Reform party’s potential impact on their voter base, particularly in socially conservative areas. He suggested that security concerns and economic imperatives could provide a strong argument for the UK to move closer to the European Union, but noted that Labour leader Keir Starmer remains hesitant, possibly due to political calculations.
EU’s resilience amidst nationalism rise
He pointed out the European Union’s resilience despite the rise of nationalism in Europe. He emphasized that France and Germany are the economic motors to revitalise the EU and expressed optimism about the EU’s future. He also addressed the UK’s past attempts to join the EU, the British Conservative party’s shift against the EU’s regulatory role. He emphasised the importance of shared sovereignty and the EU’s ever-closer union.
Conclusion
His concluding remarks also touched on the policies of the Trump administration in the USA, which seem to be causing European nations to seek improved collaboration with each other, and thus showing the potential for increased European cohesion.
Editor’s note: This is an edited version of the AI summary of this speech
