The Guardian view on Britain and Europe: a changing world demands new terms of debate | Editorial

The British government’s inflexibility on Brexit reflects a deeper problem: its inability to adapt to the changing global landscape. This stagnation has consequences across the continent, where European nations are grappling with their own responses to shifting economic and security realities.

Brexit was touted as a solution to Britain’s problems, but three years after the referendum, none of its promised benefits have materialized. Instead, the country faces significant economic and diplomatic costs. The failure of this project has exposed deep divisions within British politics, with politicians struggling to find common ground.

Meanwhile, Europe is undergoing a seismic shift in response to new global challenges. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine highlights the need for European nations to reassess their military and energy strategies. The US withdrawal from its traditional role as guarantor of European security has left many wondering who will fill this void. This changing strategic calculus demands that Britain and other European nations rethink their relationships with each other – and with their global partners.

The current impasse in British politics reflects a broader failure to adapt. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s proposed “reset” is woefully inadequate, tinkering at the margins rather than addressing fundamental issues driving Europe’s evolution. Britain’s politicians are stuck in a time warp, clinging to outdated notions of sovereignty and national interest while the world moves on.

The changing international landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for European nations. A more integrated approach could allow them to pool resources, share risks, and present a united front in a rapidly changing world. However, Britain’s leadership has been singularly unimpressed by these possibilities, choosing instead to huddle behind the shield of Brexit.

The consequences of this inertia are far-reaching. As Europe struggles to adapt to new global realities, Britain’s stagnant politics threaten to leave it on the periphery – an isolated island clinging to a lost era of national dominance. To avoid this fate, British leaders must engage with the changing world around them, embracing cooperation and collaboration as the keys to navigating complex challenges ahead.

The next few years will be crucial in determining Britain’s place within Europe. Will it seize the opportunity to redefine its relationships with other nations or continue to cling to a dying ideology? With some politicians beginning to awaken to the need for change, the question remains whether they can overcome internal divisions and take the lead in shaping Britain’s future – rather than merely reacting to events as they unfold.