Two of Labour’s most prominent figures have openly declared their intention to restart Britain’s accession to the European Union, should either become prime minister, exposing deep fractures within the party just months before the next election.
Wes Streeting, former health secretary and now a declared candidate to replace Sir Keir Starmer, told a Labour gathering in London on Saturday that the party should include a pledge to rejoin the EU in its next general election manifesto. "Labour must give the British people a clear choice," Streeting said. "Rejoining the single market and customs union is not about ideology—it’s about economic survival."
Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester mayor and another declared leadership contender, echoed Streeting’s stance in an exclusive interview with *The Daily Mirror*, detailing plans for a "fairer Britain" built on public ownership of essential services. "We need new politics," Burnham said. "That means listening to what people are saying, including those who voted to leave the EU but now feel abandoned by a system that’s failed them."
Key Points
- ✅ Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham both confirm support for rejoining the EU
- ⚡ Streeting calls for EU membership pledge in Labour’s 2025 manifesto
- 💡 Burnham frames rejoin stance as part of broader push for public ownership
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage swiftly condemned the pair, accusing them of "betraying every Brexit voter in the country." In a statement released Sunday, Farage said, "If either of these men become prime minister, they will have broken the democratic will of the people who voted to leave in 2016."
Labour insiders, speaking on condition of anonymity, say the leadership contest is rapidly becoming a referendum on Britain’s relationship with Europe—one that could split the party further just as it struggles to regain voter trust after years of infighting.
| Leadership Candidate | EU Stance | Key Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Wes Streeting | Full EU re-accession | Single market and customs union membership |
| Andy Burnham | Rejoin EU structures | Public ownership of water and energy |
The move comes as polling shows a growing divide among Labour voters, with 42% supporting closer ties to the EU and 38% opposing any reintegration, according to a YouGov survey published Friday. Among the broader electorate, support for rejoining stands at 35%, with opposition at 52%.
💡 Pro Tip
Avoid framing EU rejoin plans purely as a return to the past—focus on economic benefits like trade facilitation and regulatory alignment to win over sceptical voters.
Streeting and Burnham are not the only figures reshaping the political landscape. King Charles III’s security detail at Windsor Castle is under scrutiny after reports that up to 30 officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Royalty and Specialist Protection unit may have fallen asleep while on duty, according to *The Sun*. The incident, now under internal investigation, has raised concerns about lapses in national security protocols.
Meanwhile, as England’s football team prepares for the 2026 World Cup, squad members have hinted at commemorating a potential victory with a controversial tattoo—a tradition that has divided fans. Star midfielder Jude Bellingham told reporters, "If we win, we’ll mark it. That’s tradition. But we’re not thinking about tattoos right now—we’re thinking about the tournament."
📋 By The Numbers
- 42% — Labour voters who support closer EU ties
- 52% — All voters opposed to rejoining the EU
- 30 — Metropolitan Police officers under investigation for misconduct at Windsor Castle
The Labour leadership race is now set to become a battleground not only over the party’s direction but over Britain’s place in the world. With both Streeting and Burnham positioning themselves as modernisers, their EU stance could either redefine Labour’s identity or deepen its existential crisis ahead of the next election.