The Economist: ‘Any Labour leadership race will renew debate over Europe. Andy Burnham, a favourite to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as Britain’s prime minister if he wins a by-election in Makerfield on June 18th, has talked of rejoining the EU, though his prospective constituents’ past support for Brexit has made him argue recently that reopening the issue may put Britain in a “permanent rut”.’
Also: ‘And it has become clearer that Brexit has damaged Britain’s economy, with the hit to GDP estimated at 4% or more. Public opinion has shifted, too. A recent YouGov poll finds 58% of respondents believing it was wrong to leave the EU, with only 29% saying it was right.’
As well: ‘The model that may best match British aspirations is Switzerland. It is in the EU single market for goods, but not services. (…) Swiss diplomats advise against red lines.’
Britain, the new Switzerland. Without mountains, that is.
(a sf 2139)
