Following the surge for Reform – and slump in support for Labour – in the UK‘s council elections, the European Green Party has become the first political party to make an explicit invitation for the UK to rejoin the European Union.
Commenting at the Green Leadership Council in Brussels, European Green Party leaders stated in a common declaration that the ‘way forward’ for the EU is to enlarge its membership to both the east and west, which could involve the UK rejoining the bloc, ten years on from Brexit.
EU ‘must enlarge’
“We European Greens are clear: the European Union must enlarge and its doors should be reopened for the United Kingdom,” commented Vula Tsetsi, co-chair of the European Green Party. “If, in the future, the people of the UK choose this path, we are ready to welcome them back.
“Ten years after Brexit, it is increasingly clear that Brexit weakened both the UK and the EU. Any political process must begin with a political signal, and today, the European Greens are the first European political family to say clearly that our door is open to a future return of the UK in the EU. We now call on the other European political families to follow.”
The European Green Party’s declaration – which also included a call for the Western Balkans and Ukraine to share in an EU future – coincided with Europe Day, which took place on 9 May.
Investment in renewables
The group also called for accelerated investment in renewable energy, adding that this would strengthen European autonomy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
“Europe’s dependence on oil and gas is keeping it weak, exposed and vulnerable,” added Ciarán Cuffe, co-chair of the European Green Party. “If we are serious about peace, security, and independence, we must break free from fossil fuels and go all in on renewable energy.
“Wind and solar are not just climate solutions, they are the foundation of a stronger, independent and ultimately free Europe. Investing in renewables will protect us from the price spikes linked to fossil fuel.”
The Green Party were a strong performer in the UK council elections, increasing the number of seats held by close to half.
The full declaration, A Decisive moment for Europe: Democracy, Security, and Enlargement, can be found here.
