Reconnecting the British to Europe: Strategic Imperatives and Inconvenient Truths

The goals of overcoming Putin, staunching populism and reinforcing Europe’s relevance for successor generations demand Europe’s most innovative and strategic statecraft since the late 1940s. This should include inviting the British people into plans for Europe’s future: with war in Europe having been inflicted by Putin, this is not transactional cherry-picking, but must instead be seen by Europe’s political leadership as a strategic imperative. The recent bilateral concord between France and the UK is a positive precedent.

This paper illustrates three priority areas where greater UK–EU cooperation could take place: in environmental policy, in forming a European capital market and in defence. In addition, four further elements of civil society are viewed as being essential to tangibly reconnect the British with the heart of Europe on a practical level. These are reciprocal youth mobility (including British membership of Erasmus+), the re-engagement of civic interest groups, the UK rejoining Creative Europe, and the reinvigoration of town and city twinning initiatives.

In the aftermath of the recent elections, a unique opportunity now exists for the UK and the EU to work together for their common benefit. Strengthening the European identity through public policies will empower more of Europe’s citizens to share more of life’s experiences, grounded in a mutual commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

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