George Osborne has renewed calls for the United Kingdom to pursue closer economic ties with the European Union, emphasizing the significant impact Brexit has had on the British economy. Speaking in a recent interview, the former chancellor and current director of the British Museum acknowledged the economic difficulties since the UK’s departure from the EU, describing the situation as “a mess” that has contributed to Britain becoming “clearly poorer than it would otherwise be.”

Osborne highlighted a reluctance among political, business, and union leaders to revisit the Brexit debate, describing it as a “conspiracy of silence.” However, he stressed the necessity of confronting the issue to address the UK’s economic challenges. “People now realise you can’t look at Britain’s growth problem without beginning to think, ‘How can we revive trade with the continent, how can we get investment?’” he said.

While Osborne recognized the political complexities involved in reversing Brexit, including the difficult prospect of rejoining the EU or its single market due to free movement of people, he proposed an alternative path to strengthen economic integration—re-entering a customs union with the EU. He argued this step was overlooked during the original Brexit debate, yet it has had a “devastating impact on trade.”

Osborne suggested that the UK could pursue a bespoke customs arrangement that would simplify trade by eliminating checks on goods between Britain and the EU. He pointed to the Brexit deal negotiated by former Prime Minister Theresa May, which included a form of customs union without requiring free movement of people, as evidence that such an arrangement is feasible. Many Labour MPs reportedly regretted rejecting May’s deal, which could have prevented the harder Brexit implemented under Boris Johnson.

Opponents of renewing customs union membership argue it would restrict the UK’s ability to negotiate independent trade agreements with countries outside the EU. Osborne countered this argument by noting that many promised post-Brexit trade deals with nations such as the United States, India, South Korea, and Gulf states have had minimal economic impact compared to the value of trade with the EU.

Osborne’s stance challenges one of Labour’s most rigid positions—the rejection of customs union membership—and calls for serious discussion on economic growth and trade policy. He urged Labour politicians, including Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, to consider the potential benefits of enhancing economic cooperation with Europe as part of addressing Britain’s ongoing economic difficulties.