Second Brexit referendum won't happen ‘in my lifetime', Neil Kinnock says
A second referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union won't happen "in my lifetime", Neil Kinnock has said.
The ex-Labour leader, who served as Vice-President of the European Commission between 1999 to 2004, warned Brexit had "inflicted such harm" on Britain. And he cast doubt on the ability of the government to grasp sustained and high levels of economic growth outside the single market and customs union.
His comments come after a poll showed earlier this month nearly half of voters want another EU referendum within five years. Less than a third said they would back Brexit in a new vote. But asked whether he believed there was a possibility of a second vote in his lifetime, Lord Kinnock, 83, replied: "Not in my lifetime, no. It's not going to happen in my lifetime."
But he predicted that Britain would join a new European organisation in the future. He told The Mirror: "In my grandchildren's lifetime, probably my children's lifetime, we will be part of a Europe-wide economic and political organisation.
"The EU is going through changes as well, of course, as everything does. That will come about because of the reality of proximity. It's by far our biggest market. It was until seven years ago, free of impediment."
Lord Kinnock, who campaigned alongside other party leaders to Remain during the 2016 referendum vote, added: "That change is not going to take place while I'm breathing. I just wish it was because it would be for the benefit of our country.
"The real patriots are those arguing for the closest possible relationship, economically, politically, and in strategic terms."
He praised Keir Starmer's efforts to reset the relationship with Brussels that was left in tatters after years of fractious Brexit negotiations under the Tories. In May, the PM struck a new deal with the bloc, saying it was time to "move on from the stale old debates and political fights to find common sense, practical solutions which get the best for the British people".
Lord Kinnock said: "He's doing it while very rigorously trying to fulfil his mandate not to go back into the single market and customs union." But he warned: "Here's the problem. The government has rightly - absolutely rightly - got ambition to secure sustained, high levels of economic growth. I don't think we can do that outside the single market and customs unions."
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