Heart of Europe 2036
Our ambition to join the EU in the next 10 years
The European Movement is setting out a national ambition to join the EU by 2036, and building up the campaign to make that ambition a reality.
To launch the campaign, we have published a detailed report, outlining what the pathway to joining in the next decade looks like, as well as commissioning polling that demonstrates high public support (54.5%) for this 2036 ambition.
Here’s what you need to know about this campaign:
Why has the European Movement set a 10 year ambition to join the EU?
As a pro-European campaign, European Movement UK has always sought closer ties between the UK and the EU, up to and including the restoration of full, enthusiastic EU membership.
Until now, that has been an open-ended ambition. But now, as national sentiment shifts decisively towards a closer relationship with Europe, we are in a position to set out a potential timeline - and to say, with confidence, that this is an achievable goal over the next decade.
How achievable is this ambition?
Joining the EU in the next 10 years is ambitious. But, based on recent shifts in both public opinion and the political landscape, we believe that it is a realistic and practical target.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham recently said that all options are ‘on the table’ when it comes to our future relationship with the EU. And many other political parties have already committed to pro-EU policies.
Meanwhile, polls show a consistent uptick in voters who support closer ties with Europe. Our most recent poll found clear majority support for joining the EU by 2036.
And on the EU side, European leaders have consistently indicated that they would welcome the UK’s future participation in the union.
However, success is certainly not a given. A concerted and sustained campaign will be needed to ensure that these positive conditions translate into a concrete pathway to membership.
Couldn’t we join sooner than 10 years?
Our ambition is to join the EU within the next 10 years. 2036 is a target, and if we see a way to beat that target, we will!
However, as our report lays out, the process of joining the EU involves a number of key steps, many of which can’t be rushed. These include securing a clear democratic mandate from the UK public, and starting the accession and negotiation process with the EU.
This is why we have arrived on 2036 as an ambitious but realistic target. And we are launching the campaign now, because to achieve the ambition of joining by 2036, the work must start today.
What needs to happen to achieve this ambition and join the EU by 2036?
Joining the EU will require consistent public support, bold political leadership and a constructive relationship with our European neighbours. And it requires a government willing to make the UK’s future in Europe a national priority.
So, a few things need to happen, starting with continuing to build momentum and further increasing public understanding of how being part of the EU can improve all of our daily lives.
Committing to be part of the EU is a significant national decision, and it needs to be supported by a meaningful public debate.
And at the next general election, we need to see political parties putting a commitment to join the EU into their manifestos, paving the way for a future government to start accession talks with a clear democratic mandate.
1Build momentum and a meaningful public debate 2A commitment to join the EU in party manifestos 3Accession talks with a clear democratic mandate
How can I help?
Over the next few months, there will be many different ways to engage and support the campaign. But right now, here are three really impactful ways to help:
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1
Help demonstrate public support for this ambition by signing and sharing the campaign here - help us reach 50,000 signatures in favour of joining the EU by 2036.
Add your name -
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Support the campaign by becoming a member or making a donation - all of the European Movement’s funding comes from individual contributions, and this campaign cannot succeed without your support
Make a donation -
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Get involved with action in your local community, to build this campaign from the grassroots up. Find your nearest European Movement group here.
Find your local group
2036 is our target. The work starts today.
Add your name to the campaign