๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ข๐งโ๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐The evidence is clear:
Brexit has cost our economy 6-8% of GDP.
Goods exports have fallen by 16%.
Around 20,000 businesses have stopped exporting to the EU.I strongly welcome Prime Minister Andy Burnham making the case for a more ambitious relationship with Europe, including reopening the debate on rejoining the EU.
Iโve always supported a much closer relationship with our European neighbours and been highly critical of Boris Johnsonโs damaging Brexit deal.
There has already been welcome progress. Rejoining Horizon Europe and Erasmus+, alongside plans for closer cooperation on food trade, energy and opportunities for young people, shows what can be achieved by working together.
The next UK-EU summit offers an important opportunity to build on this progress and remove more of the barriers Brexit has created.
Earlier this year, I led a delegation to Brussels, meeting the European Commission, MEPs, business leaders, trade unions and civil society organisations. It was clear there is a genuine appetite on both sides to rebuild our relationship and seize the opportunities of closer cooperation.
In my recent speech to the Labour Movement for Europe, I set out why we must learn from the mistakes of Brexit and build a stronger future with our European partners.
Follow the link in the comments to watch the full speech. Agree that Britainโs future is better in Europe? Show your support and join my EU mailing list.Simply email gareth.thomas.mp@parliament.uk with your name and address, and โEUโ in the subject line.