Eluned Morgan Supports Closer EU Ties for Wales
Eluned Morgan has described herself as an "unapologetic" "Euro-enthusiast" who desires Wales to maintain the closest possible relationship with the European Union.
The Labour first minister made these remarks in response to comments from the Labour Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, who suggested that the party should campaign to rejoin the EU at the next general election.
This discussion arises amid a shift in the Labour party's approach to Brexit as it confronts challenges in Britain's struggling economy.
Despite the prime minister's statement last year acknowledging that "Brexit had significantly hurt our economy," Downing Street has consistently maintained that the UK government will not rejoin the customs union or single market.
During an interview on BBC Politics Wales, Morgan did not explicitly state that Labour should pledge to rejoin the EU but emphasized her position:
"I am absolutely unapologetic that I always want the closest possible relationship"
She further elaborated:
"I am an absolute Euro-enthusiast. Leaving the EU has not been beneficial to Wales,"
Highlighting the impacts, she noted:
"We've been cut in exports which affects jobs. We've been cut in terms of funding.
We were promised we wouldn't be a penny worse off."
In the 2016 referendum, 52.5% of voters in Wales supported Brexit. Additionally, Boris Johnson secured a significant number of Welsh Conservative MPs in the 2019 general election with his campaign promise to "Get Brexit Done."
Growing Labour Voices on UK-EU Relations
Morgan is among an increasing number of senior Labour figures openly discussing the UK's relationship with the EU.
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed in October that he found it challenging to achieve the economic growth promised by the government while outside the EU.
"I'm glad that Brexit is a problem whose name we now dare speak,"
he told a literary festival, indicating that being outside the EU complicates delivering the economic growth commitments.
Similarly, UK Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy stated on a podcast that it was "self-evident" Brexit had harmed the economy. He also referenced the economic benefits Turkey has gained through its customs agreement with the EU.
