‘International bafflement’ over Britain’s actions, says Miliband

Britain has been left embarrassed on the world stage and there is international “bafflement” over Brexit, former foreign secretary David Miliband has said.

The former Labour cabinet minister claimed the UK was viewed from abroad as being at a “low ebb” and “in retreat”.

Mr Miliband, now chief executive of the International Rescue Committee aid organisation based in New York, said Labour should press for the option of continued membership of the European Union to remain on the table when Parliament votes on the Brexit deal.

He also criticised Prime Minister Theresa May’s approach to triggering Article 50, starting the two-year countdown to Brexit without knowing the outcome. In an interview in the December issue of British GQ magazine, which goes on sale on Thursday, Mr Miliband said: “I take no pleasure in Britain’s embarrassment.

“Those of us who are outside the country take absolutely no pleasure in the low ebb to which Britain has sunk.

“Brits abroad look at the fact other countries see us in retreat, having lost our way.”

He said: “I was in office when Article 50 came into the Lisbon Treaty and no-one in their right mind thought a country would be crazy enough to pull the pin on the grenade unless they were absolutely sure about how the two-year ticking time bomb was going to go.

“You’ve got to be deeply worried about the prospects for the country of the negotiation becausewestandtolosemuch more than Europe does.”

Mr Miliband said Labour should argue that Parliament – or even the people in a second referendum – should be given the choice between the Brexit deal negotiated by Mrs May’s government and continued membership of the EU.

Ministers have said they intend to give Parliament a vote, but that would decide between accepting the terms on offer or leaving the EU without a deal.

Mr Miliband said: “Labour should argue that the British parliament or people must be given a choice between the Brexit deal negotiated and membership of the EU.

“There is no progressive vision for Britain cut off from the continent.”

Mr Miliband has previously argued that the country’s future should be decided by another vote on the terms of a final settlement, either by referendum or in parliament.