Terry Reintke, “Brexit has caused more damage than good.”
“I think I'm the 5th speaker in this debate who is quoting Andy Burnham because he's right.”
“There has been so much damage economically, politically, but most of all for the people in the UK.”
“We have seen two decades of division, because that is what demagogues and populists cause, and this is the only thing that they cause damage, pain, scars, broken promises.”
“Building unity and a future, they cannot.”
“We can, because that is what the European Union has effectively done over the past decades building unity, making friends out of enemies, creating peace instead of war, freedom instead of oppression, prosperity instead of small minded national competition, together with the United Kingdom for many decades, and this unity is worth fighting for, especially now when we have so many lunatics all around the world in power.”
“So first, any move closer is a good move, the better.”
“We cannot become the enemy of the good in this.”
“Whatever we can, we should do, be it Erasmus, be it Horizon, be it the Customs union, you name it.”
“Second, of course, you can come back.”
“We do not debate this here at all, because we all agree we want the UK back in the European Union, and thirdly, dear friends in the UK, whether you voted for Brexit or not, know this the European Union is not your enemy.”
“It has never been and it will never be.”
“Brexit was a mistake and to admit that is not a sign of weakness, but it is a sign of strength, and it is a mistake that can be corrected by all of us, so let's do it.”
“Thank you very much.”
My view:
Brexit was sold as a route to greater freedom and prosperity. Instead, it deepened divisions and left people living with the consequences of promises that were never fulfilled.
Admitting that Brexit was a mistake is not weakness; it is the first step towards putting things right.
The European Union is not perfect, and closer cooperation will not solve every problem.
But it has shown the value of countries working together: building peace, shared opportunity and stronger ties between people who were once set against one another.
The UK should never have been treated as Europe’s enemy, and Europe should not be treated as ours.
Every practical step closer matters, whether through Erasmus, Horizon or a closer trading relationship. But we should not let “the good” become an excuse to avoid discussing what would serve people best.
Britain should be able to consider the full range of options, including rejoining the EU.
The mistake can be corrected—and there is strength in having the courage to do it.