In an address scheduled for Wednesday, former foreign secretary David Miliband is set to advocate for the next government to pursue significantly stronger connections with the EU concerning foreign policy and defense matters. He will condemn what he perceives as the “absurd” deficiency of collaboration between London and Brussels on such critical issues.
Taking place at the Irish embassy in London, Miliband’s speech will also include criticism aimed at the Conservative party’s stance towards the EU. He will urge the forthcoming administration to actively pursue a closer relationship with the European Union.
The upcoming speech represents an uncommon involvement in domestic politics for Miliband, who departed parliament in 2013 to assume his position as the head of the International Rescue Committee in New York. Despite persistent rumors regarding a potential return to British politics before the next election, he has consistently declined to comment on the matter.
Miliband is expected to express, “It is no secret that I always believed Brexit to be a folly. However, the extent of the self-inflicted damage is still profoundly shocking.”
“The British government dismissed the proposal for a foreign and defense policy partnership with the EU in 2019. Consequently, we find ourselves in the paradoxical situation where the EU has established strategic partnership agreements with Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Japan, yet not with the UK.
The EU has forged framework agreements to support its common security and defense policy with 21 partners, including Colombia and Vietnam, excluding the UK. Additionally, it has established trade and technology councils with the US and India, despite facing significant hurdles, but not with the UK.”
He will advocate for a comprehensive agreement between the UK and EU encompassing defense procurement, cybersecurity, combating illegal migration, international development, and promoting green technology. Miliband even suggested that such an agreement could take the form of a legally binding treaty between the two entities, a move that could potentially spark significant domestic political controversy.
Miliband’s stance represents a departure from the recent rhetoric on the EU by Labour frontbenchers. Party leader Keir Starmer has firmly rejected the idea of rejoining the single market or the customs union. Additionally, he swiftly dismissed a proposal by the European Commission last month to facilitate travel between Britain and the EU for individuals aged between 18 and 30. Party strategists assert that they are reluctant to pursue much closer ties, partly due to the necessity of winning back voters who supported leaving the EU and subsequently voted for the Conservatives in 2019.
Labour has expressed interest in signing agreements with the EU in specific areas, including defense and the export of livestock and food. Last month, The Guardian reported that David Lammy, the shadow foreign secretary, advocates for frequent attendance at the monthly foreign affairs council meetings, a proposal that Miliband will endorse in his upcoming speech.
Miliband’s speech represents a comprehensive exploration of the potential components of a UK-EU defense and security pact. He will emphasize the importance of collaboration and coordination between the two entities on various issues, including the initiation of joint defense research and procurement programs.
Furthermore, Miliband will critique the Conservatives for rendering such discussions politically unviable. He will express concern over the EU being perceived as unacceptable by the Conservative Party, deeming it detrimental to the broader discourse.
