EU state of the union address reaction: UK risks being left behind as EU forges new partnerships, says IPPR

Responding to the EU state of the union address by Ursula Von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, Laura Chappell, associate director for international policy at IPPR, said:  

“Mark Carney’s presence in Brussels is a sign of how quickly the world is changing. Countries outside the EU are finding new ways to work more closely with Europe, strengthen their security and become less reliant on the United States.

“The UK should be leading that conversation, not watching from the sidelines. The government needs to look beyond the technical details of post-Brexit negotiations and set out a much more ambitious partnership with Europe – one built for the challenges we face today, not the arguments of a decade ago.”

ENDS

Laura Chappell and other IPPR experts are available for interview  

CONTACT

Rosie Okumbe, senior digital and media officer, 07825 185 421 r.okumbe@ippr.org  

NOTES TO EDITORS

IPPR is the UK’s most influential think tank, with alumni in Downing Street, the cabinet and parliament. We are the ideas factory behind many of the current government’s flagship policies, including changes to fiscal rules, the creation of a National Wealth Fund, GB Energy, devolution, and reforms to the NHS. IPPR is an independent charity which has seconded staff to government departments including DHSC and DESNZ to support ministers on crucial policies such as the 10-year health plan and the industrial strategy: www.ippr.org