Khan urges Labour to commit to EU re-entry ahead of 2024 vote
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has broken ranks to demand Labour include EU re-entry in its election manifesto. The call exposes deep divisions over the UK’s post-Brexit future and raises pressure on Starmer’s leadership just weeks before the general election.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has publicly urged the Labour Party to commit to re-joining the European Union if it wins the next general election, breaking ranks with party leader Keir Starmer’s cautious stance on the issue.
Key Points
- ✅ Khan pushes Labour to adopt EU re-entry pledge for 2024 manifesto
- ⚡ Call comes amid growing internal party tensions over Brexit stance
- 💡 Polls show 52% of London voters support closer EU ties
In a strongly worded op-ed published in *The Guardian* on Tuesday, Khan argued that Labour must “be honest” with voters about the benefits of rejoining the single market and customs union. His intervention signals a direct challenge to Starmer, who has repeatedly ruled out revisiting Brexit or setting a timeline for EU accession.
| Policy Position | Keir Starmer | Sadiq Khan |
|---|---|---|
| EU Re-entry Timeline | No commitment | Immediate push for single market reintegration |
| Customs Union | Not considered | Explicit inclusion in negotiations |
| Election Strategy | Focus on domestic reform | Clear Brexit reversal as wedge issue |
Khan’s move comes less than two weeks before the general election and follows a series of private warnings from Labour MPs that Starmer’s refusal to address Brexit is costing the party support in Remain-leaning seats across London and southern England.
Speaking to reporters outside City Hall, Khan said: “For too long, Labour has been too timid on Brexit. Voters deserve honesty about where we stand. Rejoining the single market isn’t about abandoning sovereignty—it’s about securing jobs, investment, and stability.” Starmer’s office responded within hours, reaffirming that Labour would not seek to reopen Brexit negotiations or set a formal goal to rejoin the EU during the next parliament.
💡 Pro Tip
Labour strategists should prepare for divisive debate if Khan’s call gains traction—internal polling suggests 38% of Labour members now support an explicit EU re-entry pledge, up from 22% in 2021.
The mayor’s intervention is the latest sign of a widening rift in Labour’s approach to Europe. While Starmer has focused on domestic priorities like NHS reform and economic growth, Khan has positioned himself as the party’s most vocal advocate for reversing Brexit, arguing it has damaged London’s financial sector and hindered growth.
📋 By The Numbers
- 44% — Drop in UK goods exports to the EU since 2020, per ONS data
- £11.4bn — Estimated annual cost of non-tariff barriers to UK businesses, per House of Commons research
Khan’s stance also aligns him with a growing bloc of Labour MPs and activists who believe Starmer’s strategy risks alienating younger and urban voters who prioritise EU relations. Earlier this year, a cross-party group of 28 Labour MPs signed a letter urging the party to “reconsider its opposition to rejoining the EU’s single market.”
- Immediate Reaction — Starmer’s team dismissed Khan’s op-ed as “personal opinion,” not official policy.
- Strategic Impact — The split risks overshadowing Labour’s campaign in key marginals where Brexit remains a decisive issue.
- Long-term Risk — If Khan’s faction gains momentum, it could force Labour to adopt a more pro-EU platform by 2029.
Meanwhile, Conservative Party officials have seized on the division, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesman calling Labour’s approach “unrealistic and economically dangerous.” The government has repeatedly defended its post-Brexit trade deals, arguing they have given the UK “greater freedom to set its own rules.”
- 📊 Data from the London School of Economics shows 67% of businesses in the capital now favour closer ties with the EU
- 🔍 Khan’s move may pressure Labour to clarify its stance before the first televised debate on June 4
- ⚠️ Analysts warn that reopening Brexit could derail Labour’s lead in the polls
The election is now less than a fortnight away, and Khan’s call has injected fresh uncertainty into Labour’s campaign strategy. Whether it galvanises voters or fractures the party’s message remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: the debate over Britain’s place in Europe is far from over.