Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, who was also a European Commission Vice President, writes for The Mirror as the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum approachesEx-Labour leader Neil Kinnock speaking at a rejoin EU rally(Image: Jeff Moore/PA Wire)The results are in. Ten years on from the referendum. Five years after completely leaving the European Union and the Single Market. Brexit is an unmitigated and absolute disaster.Independent analyses show: a 6-8 % loss to the national economy. A resulting reduction of £60 to £80 billion in revenues for vital services. A 12-18 % loss to investment. A 15 % drop in goods trade. Employment and productivity down by 3 or 4%.All this inflicts an average cost of £3,000 on each adult in the UK – £6000 for a normal household.As opinion polls show, the British people know this happening – not because they read the boring details but because they feel it in their pockets, purses, jobs, lost opportunities and impediments to travel.It’s politically corrosive too: we were a significant partner in deciding the condition and development of our continent. Now we are an applicant for engagement in the security alliance.’The Labour Government’s efforts to re-align with the EU and rebuild trust are therefore welcome and in the national interest,’ says Lord Kinnock(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)And all this has been happening when Trump’s tariffs and tantrums are shredding the global economy and international Law, Putin is waging criminal war against the West, China’s advance is colossal, and the Middle East is in bloody turmoil. But we are trapped in Brexit.If anything else was doing this much harm to our country, the demand to escape from it would be irresistible.The British people must demand that we do gain release. This damage must be ended. The call for that is practical and patriotic. It is coming from people whose families and future are in the UK to stay.The Labour Government’s efforts to re-align with the EU and rebuild trust are therefore welcome and in the national interest. But it is essential to turn those steps into a great stride of progress towards a future of prosperity and security.Obviously, we must respect the past. But, as a democracy, we must never be ruled by the past. That’s especially true when new generations of young people were not part of the decision 10 years ago. They deserve the right to decide their future when two realities are starkly clear:First, only the Superpowers now have stand-alone power.For the “middle countries” – including ours – modern economy, modern security, modern sovereignty have to be collective because nations are INTER-dependent.Second, our “Special Relationship” has to be with our neighbours in our Continent.That means rejoining the European Union. There can be no “pick and mix” partial membership. European laws will not allow it. And we can’t accept a continual future of “all pay and no say”.Joining again will be arduous. It must be mutually advantageous. It will take time. It must be democratically sealed by Election or Referendum. It must involve overcoming the glib liars who brought Brexit and still generate distrust.But it must be done because of proximity to the markets of Europe with 450 million consumers and because of shared history and destiny with the rest of Europe. People say “It’s too difficult, time consuming, subject to impediments”.I tell them “but we cannot be stuck here forever!”. We can’t continue in a limbo where nothing moves forward. We cannot be stalled as an “in between” country.In this changing World now, standing still means going backwards. We have to stop that slide.After 10 years of cost and decline. The case for rejoining the Union is imperative. It is realistic. It is patriotic. And it is vital for Britain to advance again.Neil Kinnock was leader of the Labour Party between 1983-92, Vice President of the European Commission 1999-2004, and is Hon President of the Labour Movement For Europe
