'We are European and that's where we belong': Leeds readers divided over UK's future in EU
Our readers have had their say
Yorkshire Evening Post readers are divided over whether the UK should rejoin the European Union, although a majority are in favour of returning to the bloc.
Last week, former Chancellor Rachel Reeves said Brexit has made the UK “poorer, weaker and less secure”, arguing that Britain’s future should be back in the European Union.
We asked our readers whether they agreed with the Leeds West and Pudsey MP’s views. While a clear majority favoured reversing Brexit, a substantial and vocal group opposed the idea.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has already announced a trade deal with Brussels and brought the country back into the Erasmus programme, suggesting Britain could “go all the way” by rejoining the EU.
Rejoin
Of around 450 comments, those in favour of rejoining the European Union outnumbered those against by around 1.5 to one.
Reader Craig Walker was among those who believe turning our backs on our European neighbours was a mistake.
“Burnham and Labour now need the courage to get back into the EU,” he said. “Brexit is a total disaster. To turn our backs on our biggest market and route to markets that sits 22 miles from our shores is madness.”
Nick Shields added: “Brexit has been a disastrous backwards leap - a fraudulent, failed coup, backed by hostile money. The sooner we rejoin the EU, the better.”
Some readers also pointed to the UK’s historical place in Europe, including its role in rebuilding the continent after the First and Second World Wars.
“As we get near to Remembrance Sunday, it is a reminder that what followed WW2 was a painstaking rebuilding of Europe, of which the UK is geographically part, and a determination to work together to ensure there was no repeat of war in Europe,” said Margaret Boden. “Culturally, we're also part of Europe. Roman Britain, the Vikings, etc., are entwined in our DNA. Better together.”
Stay out
Many of those opposed to the UK rejoining the EU pointed to the current state of the bloc, which they believe is in a poor state.
“Why on earth would we rejoin a failing bloc?” asked Joe Ace, while Graham Bentley added: “No, the EU is failing.
“I voted to join a common market, and that was all, not for it to become an un democratic state. The EU Commission that makes the laws is appointed by their mates; no democracy there!”
Denise Bissitt echoed that sentiment, adding: “Definitely not. The EU is a failing institution who, like before, just wants our money, which, according to the government, we don't have.”
Some readers, including Ian Williamson, pointed to major EU economies such as Germany and France coming on hard times.
He said: “It would be crazy to even contemplate returning. The EU is nearly 15 trillion in debt ,France is completely bankrupt and there is not enough money in the EU coffers to bail them out.
“Even Germany, the former bedrock of the EU, is struggling. The Globalist experiment has failed.”
Dave Carrington added: “When we left the EU, we were handing over £152 Million per week, getting a bit of it back, then told how to spend it.
“Even Germany is now saying that they are giving too much to the EU and they are running it. So where is all the money going?”
Peter Sugden also pointed to the bloc’s rising debt, saying: “100% NO - joining their broken project with their self-inflicted debt of billions of Euros would be a disaster for Britain!”
Several anti-EU commenters also raised concerns about immigration and the return of unrestricted movement within the bloc.