Former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said Brexit has left the UK “poorer, weaker, less safe” and argued that closer international cooperation is essential as global politics becomes increasingly dominated by competition between the United States and China.
Speaking to Independent editor Geordie Greig on The Talk Show for Independent TV, Clegg said the UK voted to “go it alone” at a time when acting independently “makes even less sense than it ever did”. He argued that Britain is no longer in the same position as the world’s largest powers and should instead strengthen partnerships with allies.
Describing Brexit as “one of the tragedies” of recent British politics, Clegg also challenged the idea that leaving the European Union would increase national control, calling such claims “lies”.
He said the UK would be better placed to address issues including crime, economic growth, technological development and people-smuggling by “working with others”, adding that countries of Britain’s size can “secure more control over your own fate by working with others”.
Clegg was one of the most prominent campaigners for the UK to remain in the European Union during the 2016 referendum and later served as the Liberal Democrats’ spokesperson on Exiting the European Union.
His latest remarks come amid renewed debate following the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum, with political leaders, former negotiators and campaigners reassessing Brexit’s long-term impact on the UK’s economy, security and global influence.
Recent discussions have also renewed focus on the future of UK-EU relations, including closer cooperation on trade, defence and security, while wider debate over Britain’s relationship with Europe continues.
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