Submission on the UK applying to rejoin the European Free Trade Association to the International

Commission of Labour’s National Policy Forum

The UK applying to rejoin the European Free Trade Association would answer in part the question
“What should be Labour’s priorities for Brexit, and how can we most effectively shape the outcome
and hold the Government to account?” asked in the International Commission’s discussion paper.

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is an intergovernmental organisation co-founded by

the UK in 1960 for the promotion of free trade and economic integration to the benefit of its
member states. Three of its members, Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein, are signatories to the
European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement. Rejoining EFTA would allow the UK both to leave
the European Union and to remain a signatory to the EEA Agreement.

After the UK notifies the European Council of its intention to leave the European Union (EU) it will
leave the EU when a withdrawal agreement with the EU is concluded or two years after its
notification, whichever is the sooner, unless the European Council, in agreement with the UK,
unanimously decides to extend this period.

There will be economic uncertainty as the UK and the EU attempt to conclude the UK’s withdrawal
agreement within the time limit above. The UK rejoining EFTA at the time it leaves the EU would
minimise this economic uncertainty because any further negotiations between the UK and the EU
would not be subject to a time limit.

I would like to submit a proposal for the UK to apply to rejoin the European Free Trade Association
at the time the UK leaves the European Union.