Rachel Reeves says UK's future lies inside the EU as Brexit debate reopens

Former Chancellor Rachel Reeves has argued that the UK's future should be inside the European Union, saying in her first major intervention since leaving the Treasury that Brexit has made the country "poorer, weaker and less secure". Writing in the Sunday Times, Reeves said: "No-one in the Treasury ever doubted where my instincts were. I do believe Britain's future lies in the European Union." She welcomed debate around the UK's relationship with Europe and said supporters of rejoining had to "make the argument, demonstrate tangible benefits and to get the next steps right". Reeves also looked ahead to the next UK-EU summit, which will take place in Brussels on 20 November. She said she hoped for confirmation of the youth mobility scheme she had pushed for while in office, as well as "progress towards entry" into the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) scheme. SAFE, announced last March, is part of an EU-wide effort to rearm following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A defence pact agreed with the EU last May paved the way for UK-based defence companies to take part in projects funded by the scheme. In her article, Reeves also defended her record in office, writing about the need for governments to be "braver" in building big infrastructure projects and "clear eyed" about the risks and benefits that artificial intelligence would drive in advanced economies. Her intervention puts her at odds with Labour's 2024 election manifesto, which committed a Labour government to staying outside the EU and making Brexit work, and ruled out a return of free movement, single market membership or a customs union. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said there needs to be an honest discussion about what the future relationship with Europe looks like, but he has stressed that any changes would require a mandate at a general election, which is next due by 2029. He has also said a Brexit referendum is "possible" in a future Labour manifesto. During the most recent session of Prime Minister's Questions, he told Badenoch he was focused on "getting a better deal for Britain, that is my responsibility". The Conservatives reacted sharply. Party leader Kemi Badenoch told BBC One's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg she "can't even believe we are reopening" the Brexit debate. "This is not something that is needed in order to cut welfare, in order to spend money on defence," she said. "We are having yet another Westminster bubble argument about the EU when it is time for us to actually start using the opportunities, fix mistakes that have been made and go into the future." She added that she did not want to "indulge Andy Burnham's fantasies about redoing the referendum because he doesn't have a plan for what to do today". Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has also said there is no mandate to pursue closer EU ties. Separately, Downing Street has appeared to backtrack on the Prime Minister's suggestion of a freedom of movement referendum, while UK and EU officials are due to discuss freedom of movement.