On May 23 (UK time), according to The Guardian, former British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that the country needs to build broad social consensus on the possibility of rejoining the European Union (EU), and called for promoting closer relations with Europe.
Mr. Miliband, currently Chairman of the International Relief Committee (IRC), said that the UK needs a "restart" of relations with the EU much stronger than the current government's orientation.
Answering the BBC, he said he "fully believes" that Britain's security and prosperity depend on a deep, stable and institutional relationship with Europe.
According to him, the government's promotion of improving relations with the EU is a positive sign. However, the economic benefits expected to be brought are still quite limited compared to the size of the UK economy.
When asked if he supported Britain's return to the EU, Mr. Miliband said that this is a long-term goal that he agrees with. However, he emphasized that Britain cannot expect to receive the same conditions as before leaving the EU in 2016.
He also said that the EU has now changed significantly, especially as the Ukraine issue is increasingly central to the bloc's agenda.
Brussels' biggest problem now is not the UK returning to the EU, but Ukraine joining the EU," he said.
This assessment was made in the context that European countries are discussing new integration models for Ukraine, including the option of granting association membership status as a stepping stone before becoming a full member.
Regarding domestic politics, Mr. Miliband believes that the UK needs to focus more on socio-economic challenges instead of just revolving around debates about leadership personnel.
According to him, Britain is facing a series of major changes, from the fluctuations of the world order, the impact of new technology on the need to reform the welfare system to support the younger generation more effectively.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mike Galsworthy, Chairman of the European Movement UK organization, said that the government needs to have a more open dialogue with businesses and people about the direction of relations between the UK and Europe in the future.
