Staff reporter
LONDON: Scotland’s new Labour leader, Michael Marra, has called for the United Kingdom to rejoin the European Union, urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to make EU membership a commitment in Labour’s next general election manifesto.
Speaking in Edinburgh on Tuesday, Mr Marra said returning to the EU should become a long-term national objective, arguing that closer European integration would benefit Scotland and the wider UK economy.
“The UK should rejoin the European Union and Scottish Labour will work to make that happen,” he declared.
Mr Marra said renewed membership could help Scottish businesses expand, attract international investment, create better-paid jobs and reduce the cost of living. He also argued that closer cooperation with European countries could generate additional resources for public services.
He has written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, offering the support of Scottish Labour for including EU membership in the next Labour election manifesto.
However, Mr Marra acknowledged that rejoining would involve difficult negotiations, particularly over currency, borders and other membership arrangements. He also admitted that returning to the bloc would not happen quickly.
Mr Marra announced plans to organise a Scottish summit next year, bringing together businesses, trade unions, universities, young people and representatives of civil society to discuss the case.
Mr Marra declined to say whether another national referendum would be necessary before Britain could rejoin the EU. His statement has reopened the debate over Brexit, ten years after the 2016 referendum, and placed renewed pressure on the UK Labour leadership to clarify its long-term vision for Britain’s relationship with Europe.
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