Brexit has returned to the forefront of Labour Party politics as prominent party officials vie for prominence in a potential leadership contest, rekindling arguments over the the country’s connection with the European Union. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting declared at the Progress Conference in London on Saturday that leaving the EU was “a catastrophic mistake”, whilst simultaneously announcing his plans to contest Sir Keir Starmer for the party leadership. The remarks have thrust the disputed question back into the centre of attention at a point at which the party has generally tried to evade relitigating the divisive question, with other potential leaders now compelled to explain their own views regarding whether Britain could potentially return to the bloc.
Streeting’s strong EU stance reignites party divisions
Wes Streeting’s assertion that Brexit was a “catastrophic mistake” represents a substantial move from the careful method adopted by Sir Keir Starmer’s administration. Speaking at the Progress Conference, the ex Health Secretary maintained that Labour had struggled with “overcautiousness” in opposition, being “too afraid of what the Tories might say” about divisive policy matters. He argued that the party must now tackle “the big issues that define our age”, with Brexit topping his set of three essential national choices requiring renewed discussion and choices.
Streeting’s move has immediately revealed fault lines across Labour’s senior ranks. His assertion that Britain’s prospects “rests” with Europe – and one day returning to the European Union” fundamentally questions the party’s current strategy of maintaining strict “red lines” against returning to the single market or trade union. However, he was careful to note that any return to EU membership would require a fresh democratic mandate. The comments have placed other potential leadership contenders, such as Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, in an uncomfortable position of being forced to publicly clarify their own positions on EU relations.
- Streeting argues Brexit has left Britain less wealthy and powerful since the Industrial Revolution
- Labour party hierarchy has historically steered clear of revisiting the divisive EU question of membership
- Streeting highlights any EU rejoin would necessitate a new electoral mandate first
- Conservative Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake criticised Labour of diverting attention away from living costs
The Makerfield by-election transforms into a Brexit flashpoint
The forthcoming by-election in Makerfield, scheduled for 18 June, is quickly becoming as a proxy battleground for competing visions on Britain’s relationship with the EU. Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor pursuing the Labour candidacy, has found himself caught between the party’s official cautious position and the increasingly direct positions being advanced by aspiring leaders. When questioned by ITV News on whether he favours EU rejoin, Burnham conceded that “in the long-term there is a case for that” but maintained he is “not advocating that in this by-election”, reflecting the delicate political tightrope the party must navigate.
Burnham’s hedging highlights the campaign sensitivity relating to Brexit in local areas like Makerfield, where the Leave vote continues to be significant. Should he secure both the Labour candidature and capture the seat, he would be set to mount a leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer. However, his precisely measured remarks expose the tension between recognising Brexit’s economic costs and upholding the democratic will shown in the 2016 referendum—a tension that will probably shape Labour’s leadership discussion.
Reform UK taps into pro-Brexit feeling
Reform UK has identified Makerfield as a strong prospect for mobilising Leave voters frustrated with Labour’s unclear stance on European Union matters. The party has highlighted that 65 per cent of the constituency backed Brexit in the 2016 referendum, a considerable majority that suggests considerable backing for candidates prepared to defend the Leave decision. By contrast, Labour’s failure to strongly support Brexit or set out a coherent plan for the post-Brexit landscape leaves an opening for populist challengers to capitalise on.
The appearance of Brexit as a electoral concern in Makerfield reveals broader political positioning by Reform UK to establish itself as the authentic voice of Leave voters. As Labour prospective leaders discuss the party’s future relationship with Europe, Reform UK’s willingness to champion Brexit defence offers a distinct alternative narrative. This development risks complicating Labour’s bid to maintain the seat whilst simultaneously managing internal disagreements over the party’s future European policy.
Burnham navigates the European Union issue with care
Andy Burnham’s response to questions about EU rejoin exposes the precarious position confronting Labour’s prospective candidate hopefuls. The Greater Manchester civic leader, who is campaigning to become Labour’s nomination in the Makerfield contest scheduled for 18 June, conceded that “in the long-term there is a case for that” when asked about rejoining the European Union. Yet he quickly qualified this by noting he is “not pushing that in this by-election”, reflecting the party’s wider reluctance to commit openly to a pro-European agenda that might alienate Leave-voting areas.
Burnham’s carefully calibrated approach echoes his earlier public pronouncements respecting the 2016 referendum outcome, maintaining that any move towards EU rejoin would require a renewed democratic mandate obtained via a general election. This careful approach permits him to signal openness to stronger EU ties amongst left-leaning party members whilst at the same time reassuring Leave voters in traditional party strongholds. The delicate balance underscores the complex electoral landscape Labour must handle as it struggles with its post-Brexit identity and strategic direction under recent leadership changes.
- Burnham acknowledges long-term case for EU rejoin but avoids present campaigning
- Any EU rejoin would demand new voter mandate from British voters
- Strategic positioning aims to appease both reform-minded and Brexit-supporting Labour voters
Conservative and Labour parties capitalise on the opportunity
The Conservative Party has moved quickly to weaponise Streeting’s Brexit comments, with Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake condemning Labour’s willingness to relitigate the EU question as a damaging distraction. Hollinrake contended that whilst Labour senior figures debate European policy, the government continues unable to focus on the urgent issues of British households and enterprises, particularly the rising cost of living and financial security. This counterattack reflects the Tories’ broader strategy of portraying Labour as obsessed with reversing Brexit rather than addressing immediate household concerns. The move underscores how deeply Brexit remains embedded in British political discourse, able to rekindle partisan splits at critical junctures.
Reform UK, in the meantime, has pinpointed Makerfield as fertile ground to advance its pro-Brexit credentials and attract disaffected voters. The party has emphasised that 65 per cent of constituents voted Leave in the 2016 referendum, establishing itself as the genuine protector of that mandate. By contrasting its clear support of Brexit with Labour’s apparent lack of commitment and the Conservatives’ implementation challenges, Reform UK aims to unite Leave voters under its banner. This three-party competition illustrates how the question of Britain’s relationship with the EU continues to fracture traditional party loyalties and reshape electoral calculations across British politics.
| Party | Position on EU relationship |
|---|---|
| Labour (Streeting) | Advocates for closer EU ties and long-term path to rejoin, requiring fresh electoral mandate |
| Labour (Starmer leadership) | Seeks closer EU relationship within “red lines” excluding single market and customs union membership |
| Conservative Party | Defends Brexit implementation and opposes Labour’s EU debate as distraction from cost of living |
| Reform UK | Champions Brexit defence and positions itself as authentic voice of Leave voters |
What the revival indicates for Labour’s long-term trajectory
The emergence of Brexit as a central battleground in Labour’s leadership race signals a significant reassessment within the party over its strategic direction and ideological stance. Streeting’s readiness to express what many in the party have privately thought—that leaving the EU was economically harmful—represents a challenge to the careful consensus Sir Keir Starmer has maintained since becoming leader. This fracture suggests Labour’s next leader may face pressure to take a clearer position on European engagement, potentially transforming the party’s appeal to Remain-voting constituencies and younger voters who regard Brexit as a defining policy failure.
However, the party grapples with a delicate balancing act. Labour’s long-established working-class strongholds, demonstrated through constituencies like Makerfield where 65 per cent supported Leave, continue to be deeply wary of any call to reverse the referendum result. Candidates like Andy Burnham must handle this challenge with care, accepting potential pathways whilst avoiding alienating Leave voters in crucial by-elections. The outcome of these competing leadership visions will probably establish whether Labour seeks to bridge the Brexit divide or accepts it as a lasting fixture of British politics, with significant implications for the party’s electoral standing and legislative programme.