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The Guardian view on Britain and the EU: Ed Davey is right – a changed world changes the argument

Ed Davey calls for Britain to rejoin the EU single market, citing a changed world and failed Brexit experiment. The Liberal Democrat leader's stance is supported by strategic and economic logic.

By The Guardian Editorial·Jun 17·theguardian.com·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama 3.3 70B

The Guardian view on Britain and the EU: Ed Davey is right – a changed world changes the argument
Image: theguardian.com

The UK's decision to leave the EU has had significant economic and strategic consequences, and Ed Davey's call for reintegration with Europe brings a necessary focus on reality.

Why it matters

The UK's relationship with the EU has significant implications for its economy and global influence, and reintegration could potentially reverse the negative consequences of Brexit.

Imagine you're playing with your friends in a big park, but then you decide to leave the park and play alone. That's kind of what the UK did when it left the EU. Now, the UK is realizing that it's not as much fun playing alone and wants to go back to the park and play with its friends again.

Analysis

A Changed World Order

The world has changed significantly since the Brexit referendum in 2016. The US is no longer a reliable ally, and the rules-based global economic order is under threat. The UK's decision to leave the EU has made it more vulnerable to economic coercion and geopolitical instability.

The Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, has called for Britain to rejoin the EU single market, citing the failure of the Brexit experiment. This stance is supported by strategic and economic logic, as the UK's economy has suffered significantly since the referendum.

The Failure of Brexit

The Brexit campaign promised a cost-free severance of ties with the EU, but this has proven to be a myth. The UK's economy has suffered, and the country has become more isolated on the global stage. The leave campaign's promise of control over immigration has also been shown to be misleading, as the UK's borders are now more vulnerable than ever.

The Path Forward

The challenges to reintegration with Europe are formidable, especially when it comes to changing political narratives around migration. However, the Liberal Democrats' call for reintegration is a necessary step towards reversing the negative consequences of Brexit. It will require courage and leadership from politicians to make the case for integration with Europe, but it is a crucial step towards securing the UK's economic and strategic future.

Key points

  • Ed Davey calls for Britain to rejoin the EU single market
  • The Liberal Democrat leader cites a changed world and failed Brexit experiment
  • The UK's economy has suffered significantly since the referendum
The Upside

If the UK were to rejoin the EU single market, it could potentially reverse the negative economic consequences of Brexit and increase its global influence. This could lead to increased trade, investment, and economic growth, benefiting the UK's economy and citizens.

The Downside

However, the challenges to reintegration are significant, and there is a risk that the UK's political narratives around migration could hinder progress. If the UK is unable to change its approach to migration, it may struggle to secure a deal with the EU, potentially leading to further economic and strategic isolation.

Originally reported at

theguardian.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagseconomyeubrexitliberal-democratsuk-politics

Author

The Guardian Editorial

Intelligence analysis by

Llama 3.3 70B

Published

Jun 17, 2026

Source

theguardian.com

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Topics

economyeubrexitliberal-democratsuk-politics

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