In recent weeks, there has been much discussion about the UK’s long-term relationship with the EU, and the possibility of returning to the bloc.
Andy Burnham has been highly critical of Brexit and has said he will consider all options as part of his 10-year plan for Britain.
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In a statement to the House of Commons on Monday, the prime minister called for “deeper cooperation” with the EU to help drive economic growth in the UK, and said it was an “immediate priority” for him to secure a successful outcome at the EU-UK summit next month.
Momentum growing behind Brexit reversal
Last month, during his Labour conference speech, Burnham said Brexit had caused “more harm than good” and he would look for a new consensus on what Britain’s relationship with the EU should be.
This was followed by the prime minister confirming that potentially rejoining the EU is an option he and his government will consider.
Away from Westminster, public opinion has completely shifted on Brexit as the irrefutable evidence of the harm it has caused to the country mounts up.
Along with all this, European governments are urging the UK to return to the bloc as the global picture grows increasingly unstable in a world with Donald Trump as US president.
We have always been firmly of the opinion that Brexit should be reversed and that leaving the EU was one of the greatest acts of political self-harm ever seen.
However, as much as we’d like to see a world with the UK back in the EU, we have to acknowledge that the only way this can happen is with a referendum.
This week, Labour MP Emily Thornberry argued a referendum on rejoining would not be needed. She suggested that Labour could put a pledge to rejoin the EU in their next general election manifesto, and that this would be a clear mandate from voters should they win the election.
This is an argument that London Mayor Sadiq Khan has also suggested, urging Labour to campaign on rejoining the EU at the next election.
In an ideal world, this sounds like a nice, clean solution. Voters would be presented with a clear option at a general election, which would also help avoid a no-doubt divisive and the debate dragging on for months afterwards as the nation awaits a referendum.
However, this can’t be the route forward.
Only another EU referendum would give Brexit reversal legitimacy
Firstly, a democratic and constitutional precedent has been set over the UK’s EU membership. There have been two national referendums on the matter. The first was on joining in 1975. To reverse this decision, it was decided that another referendum was needed in 2016.
If we want to reverse THAT decision, a third referendum will be required. This is before we even consider what deal we would be allowed to rejoin the EU on.
Secondly, such a major decision would, rightly, require a undeniable mandate for its legitimacy. Labour won their landslide majority in 2024 with just 33.7% of the vote. The Conservatives and Reform won a combined 38% of the vote.
This would be no mandate for Labour to reverse Brexit, and would fail to put the argument to bed. It may well be that another referendum would require a minimum turnout or a majority of more than half.
Lastly, rejoining the EU off the basis of a general election victory could spark more instability. If a government is able take us back into the EU without a referendum, then a government could take us back out without a referendum.
The EU would know this.
Unfortunately, another referendum is the only legitimate route the UK would have back into the EU. You can’t just ignore democratic processes when it suits your argument.
Yes, it would likely be as divisive, toxic, mean-spirited and unpleasant as the 2016 referendum. But it will be up to the nation to decide if that’s a price we’re willing to pay to have the opportunity to return to the EU.
Labour should include a pledge of a referendum in their next manifesto, not a pledge to rejoin.
A referendum was the only way to leave the EU – it will be the only way we can bring the Brexit nightmare to an end and rejoin.