Lord Michael Heseltine has called for an urgent Brexit reset, following Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House and growing pressure on the UK government to foster economic growth.
Brexit Reset More Urgent Than Ever
In a speech delivered as he stepped down from his role as president of the pro-EU European Movement, Heseltine stressed that the UK must strengthen ties with Brussels. He believes the combination of Trump’s looming return, Labour’s proposal for a “reset” in UK-EU relations, and the need for economic growth makes such a move more critical than ever.
The 91-year-old former deputy prime minister will remain the patron of the European Movement UK, which boasts over 23,000 members. The movement will now be led by former Tory attorney general Dominic Grieve and ex-Green Party leader Caroline Lucas.
Heseltine remarked, “The return of Donald Trump, Labour’s proposed reset in UK-EU relations, and the UK’s urgent need for economic growth underscore the importance of strengthening cooperation with our European partners.”
Growing Concerns Over Keir Starmer’s EU Reset
Heseltine’s call comes amid concerns about Keir Starmer’s stance on the EU. While the Labour leader has suggested a reset in UK-EU relations, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has refused to back Brussels’ priority of creating a new youth visa to allow free travel for those under 30. This divide has raised questions about the future of the UK’s relationship with Europe.
Trump’s Economic Adviser Issues Warning
In the past week, Stephen Moore, an economic adviser to Donald Trump, warned that the UK must choose between the EU and the US. He claimed that the UK would face tariffs unless it agreed to a trade deal with Trump’s administration. Moore stated, “Britain has to decide – do you want to go towards the European socialist model or the US free market? It seems lately that the UK is shifting towards the European model, and if that’s the case, we would be less interested in a free trade deal.”
Calls for a Stronger Relationship with the EU
Caroline Lucas, who now co-leads the European Movement UK, echoed Heseltine’s concerns about Trump’s return. She stressed the need for the UK to rebuild its relationship with the EU to ensure long-term economic, security, and climate resilience.
“This is a fight for our planet, for fairness, and for future generations,” Lucas said. “The European Movement UK is a dynamic, cross-party force, and we are committed to building a closer, stronger relationship with Europe to drive meaningful change.”
Political Parties Avoid the Brexit Debate
However, Dominic Grieve warned that the UK’s main political parties are avoiding a crucial debate about Brexit. He expressed concern that no one is currently discussing the potential benefits or drawbacks of the UK’s exit from the EU.
“There is no one who can give a benefit of the UK leaving the European Union,” he said. “I heard a businessman on the radio claim to have done well after Brexit, but it turned out his company simply helped others deal with the extra paperwork that Brexit caused.”
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