Former Chancellor George Osborne Urges UK to Re-Join EU Customs Union

George Osborne, who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer under Prime Minister David Cameron and resigned after the 2016 Brexit referendum, has publicly called for Britain to re-enter the European Union’s customs union. He argues that the post-Brexit economy has “gone off a cliff,” leaving the United Kingdom poorer than it would have been and suffering a “devastating impact on trade.” Osborne contends that rejoining the customs union would be a relatively simple step that could quickly revive trade with the continent and attract investment, without requiring the UK to accept free movement of people.

George Osborne says ‘Britain has basically gone off a cliff’ since Brexit Surrey CometThe Guardian

The customs union was excluded from the original Brexit negotiations; according to Osborne, no one anticipated the UK’s departure from it. The prevailing narrative among Brexiteers promised lucrative trade deals with the United States to replace EU market access. Osborne now describes those promised deals as “fanciful” and points to the current trade shortfalls as evidence that the customs union remains essential for the UK’s economic health. A decade after the referendum, the prospect of fully re-joining the EU appears politically challenging, but Osborne emphasizes that the customs union alone could be restored without the broader obligations of the single market.

George Osborne says ‘Britain has basically gone off a cliff’ since Brexit The GuardianSurrey Comet

In an interview with *The Independent*, Osborne said that rebuilding links with the EU is vital for economic recovery. He highlighted that the customs union was never part of the Brexit debate and that its loss has directly harmed British trade. Osborne also suggested that, if he were Labour leader Andy Burnham, there would be no reason not to re-enter the customs union, noting that this move would avoid the contentious issue of free movement of people.

George Osborne says ‘Britain has basically gone off a cliff’ since Brexit The GuardianSurrey Comet

Re-joining the customs union would align UK tariffs and customs procedures with those of the EU, potentially reducing border frictions and lowering costs for businesses that rely on European supply chains. Osborne believes that such alignment could stimulate investment and help reverse the slowdown that he attributes to Brexit-related trade disruptions. By separating customs cooperation from the single market’s regulatory and immigration requirements, the proposal aims to address economic concerns while sidestepping a politically sensitive debate on migration.

The Guardian

Osborne’s remarks reflect a growing sentiment among some policymakers and business leaders that the UK’s current trade framework is insufficient for sustained growth. While no formal government plan has been announced, his call adds pressure on the current administration to consider pragmatic steps toward closer economic integration with Europe.

George Osborne says ‘Britain has basically gone off a cliff’ since Brexit