Former chancellor George Osborne said Britain’s economy had “fallen off a cliff” since Brexit and that rejoining the European Union’s customs union would be the fastest route to recovery. Osborne, who was sacked as chancellor by Theresa May after serving in David Cameron’s cabinet at the time of the referendum, said it was important to rebuild links with the EU.
“Brexit has been a mess,” he told the Independent. “Britain has basically gone off a cliff. It has had a huge impact on the British economy. It is clearly poorer than it would otherwise be.”
Acknowledging that rejoining the EU would be difficult a decade on from the Brexit referendum, Osborne said closer ties with Europe could boost the economy.
“I would rejoin the customs union,” he said. “It’s a quite simple thing to do. That was never part of the Brexit debate. No one knew we were leaving it and it has had a devastating impact on trade.
“The reason we weren’t supposed to be in the customs union – according to the Brexiteers – was these great trade deals we were going to strike with America. That all looks pretty fanciful now.
“People now realise you can’t look at Britain’s growth problem without beginning to think, ‘How can we revive trade with the continent, how can we get investment?’
“If I was Andy Burnham, I don’t see why you wouldn’t rejoin the customs union. It’s a pretty straightforward decision because unlike (rejoining) the single market it does not require you to accept the free movement of people – which is a pretty complicated issue to sell to people in Britain at the moment.”
This article was amended on 13 September 2025. An earlier version said George Osborne resigned as chancellor, when in fact he was sacked by Theresa May.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs George Osborne Calls for UK to Rejoin the EU Customs Union
Beginner Questions
Who is George Osborne
A former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer and a prominent figure in the Conservative Party He now edits the Evening Standard and advises investment firms
What did he say
He argued that the UK should rejoin the EU customs union and focus on boosting trade calling Brexits economic impact a drag on growth
What is the EU customs union
A group of countries that trade with each other without customs duties and apply the same tariff to goods coming from outside the group Members also follow common customs rules
Is the UK currently in the customs union
No The UK left the EU customs union on 31 December 2020 as part of Brexit
Whats the difference between the customs union and the single market
The customs union covers tariffs and border checks on goods The single market goes further it also covers services people and rules like product standards You can be in the customs union without being in the single market but not the other way around
Why does Osborne want to rejoin
He believes it would cut red tape and costs for British businesses make trade with the EU smoother and help economic growth
Would rejoining mean free movement of people
No The customs union is about goods not immigration Free movement is tied to single market membership which is a separate issue
Intermediate Questions
What trade problems did Brexit create for UK businesses
New customs paperwork border checks rulesoforigin requirements and delays Small exporters in particular have struggled with the added costs
How much has Brexit hurt UK trade
Studies vary but most economists estimate a measurable negative impact often cited as a 1015 reduction in goods trade with the EU relative to preBrexit trends The UKs own fiscal watchdog has said Brexit will reduce longrun productivity
What would rejoining the customs union actually change
No tariffs on UKEU goods far less paperwork no rulesoforigin checks and smoother border flow But the UK would have to apply the EUs external tariff and couldnt strike independent trade deals on goods
