For reasons, I made a wiki page, called Labour’s Turning Point, which looked at matters in the Labour Party on the topic of the European Union following Starmer’s speech/interview in Montreal in Sept 23.
I argued that , it needs to be seen in the context of the EU’s consideration of its own reform which is being pushed by its enlargement and democratisation agenda. See also, the Franco-German proposals, “Sailing on High Seas: Reforming and Enlarging the EU for the 21st Century” [ or my annotated mirror] for a multispeed & streamlined Europe. This is also commented on by institute jacques delors. I decided the document needed a page on this wiki for itself.
What do I think it says?
Well, the report index says,
I. Protecting a fundamental principle: the rule of law
II. Addressing institutional challenges: five key areas of reform
- Making the EU institutions enlargement-ready
- Decision-making in the Council
- EU-level democracy
- Powers and competences
- EU resources
III How to manage progress: Deepening and widening the EU
- Options for treaty change
- Differentiation
- Managing the enlargement process
Labour’s first reaction is that it is not relevant, they are not interested in “associate membership”.
And so?
What direction of travel will occur, will it be easier or harder for the UK to rejoin?
Alberto Alemanno
He says, in this thread,
which I have unrolled via threadreaderapp.com
He also quotes himself on twitter from a Politico article, “The level of enthusiasm for EU enlargement and reform is, in reality, quite low. Yet Scholz and Macron realize that unless they do something, the EU could come apart.” My take for @POLITICOEurope #granada #EUCO“
The politico article is very punchy, I have cut-out these notes on diigo,
The French leader will make a joint push with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to kick start difficult EU enlargement talks at the third meeting of the European Political Community, a forum created in response to the Russian invasion that includes European leaders from beyond the EU to build a broader, more inclusive European network.
“Candidate countries must, on a merit-based approach, measure and comply with all the criteria before negotiations are opened,” Burke said, echoing statements from the European Commission.
“The level of enthusiasm for EU enlargement and reform is, in reality, quite low,” said Alberto Alemanno, professor of EU at HEC business school in France. “Scholz and Macron don’t really want to reform or enlarge — but they realize that unless they do something, the EU could come apart.”
Macron’s brainchild, the European Political Community, will again see intense lobbying from the leaders of EU candidate countries, which fear being relegated to a second-division club.
And inside the club, conversations aren’t any easier. EU leaders have yet to agree on the language of their enlargement statement at Friday’s informal EU summit, given a lack of agreement on several areas. While Germany and France want member states to reform before or during enlargement, Nordic countries and the Baltics want Ukraine and others to join first, and then tackle reform.
Clea Caulcutt and Nicholas Vinocur, politico.eu
end quote