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A few thoughts on how EU27 should now look at Brexit:
EU would be stronger if UK remained, not weaker. It would be a historic mistake to listen to those who put more weight on the short-term difficulties to re-integrate UK than on the long-term benefits of a united Europe. 1/5
EU would be stronger if UK remained, not weaker. It would be a historic mistake to listen to those who put more weight on the short-term difficulties to re-integrate UK than on the long-term benefits of a united Europe. 1/5
A second referendum should be the EU27’s preferred solution by now. This is the main instrument to create legitimacy for bringing the UK back or deciding on a deal (and even a no-deal). A two-level question could work. 2/5
While British politics is collapsing, it would be wrong for the EU to add fuel to the fire. London has become the capital of EU support. It would be wise to signal that we want to work not only with friends of the EU in Britain, but also the moderate Eurosceptics. 3/5
Having said this, the EU needs to make sure the UK inside the EU would not continue the block progress through the “in-but-out” approach of the past. This can be achieved through a smart multiple-speed EU approach. The EU just needs to be serious about it. 4/5
Finally, EU27 should stay humble. Is the chaos in UK really surprising? We knew it was impossible to unscramble scrambled eggs. UK has learned this the hard way. But this is no reason to become arrgant. The last thing the UK needs right now is Schadenfreude from the EU27.
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