Amid rising economic challenges, calls grow for a new approach to Brexit negotiations
Category: Politics
As the Labour Party gathers in Liverpool for its annual conference, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation and urgency. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, having taken office just two months prior, stands at a crossroads. With a decade of political and economic upheaval since the Brexit referendum behind the UK, Burnham's leadership is now being tested by rising energy costs, fiscal strain, and internal party divisions. His promise to restore hope and unity comes at a time when the question of rejoining the European Union hangs larger than ever.
The core question that emerges from this political moment is whether the Labour leadership will take decisive steps toward re-engaging with the EU. Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has been vocal in urging Burnham to lay the groundwork for Britain to rejoin the EU well before the next general election. He argues that the case for closer ties with Brussels must be made now, rather than waiting until the last minute before an election.
In recent weeks, the push for a renewed relationship with the EU has gained traction among Labour figures. Khan has called for a return to the customs union “almost straight away” and has emphasized the need for a manifesto commitment to rejoin the bloc without a second referendum. His remarks go beyond those of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who suggested that the UK should work toward rejoining the EU over the next decade. Khan believes that leaving the EU was the “biggest act of economic self-harm in the UK’s history,” and insists that the public needs to understand the disbenefits of being outside the EU.
“We’ve got to start the work now,” Khan stated. “You can’t, a week before a general election, pull out of a hat this rabbit of a manifesto and say we’re going to rejoin in six weeks’ time.” His call for immediate action reflects a growing sentiment within Labour to reconsider the party's stance on Brexit.
Burnham has so far refrained from ruling out a commitment to rejoining the EU in the party's next manifesto, but he has also stopped short of promising to reverse Brexit. His immediate priority remains pursuing rapprochement with Brussels to bolster the British economy. During his recent address to the UN General Assembly, Burnham acknowledged the need to draw a line on the drift and division caused by Brexit, stating, "It's time for Britain to have hope again."
Yet, the Prime Minister faces pressure from within his party. Senior Labour backbencher Stella Creasy has warned that Burnham does not have enough time to delay action until the next general election. She emphasized that the world has changed significantly in recent years, and the UK can no longer afford to stand alone in a geopolitical environment dominated by major power blocs like China, the US, and the EU. Creasy insists that the red lines set by Keir Starmer need to be abandoned immediately.
The economic implications of remaining outside the EU are becoming increasingly apparent. A report from the Institute for Public Policy Research revealed that the UK is losing £6.5 billion a year in exports due to the absence of mutual recognition with its largest trading partner. This economic reality adds weight to the argument for re-engaging with Europe.
Burnham's government is already grappling with the challenges posed by the EU's planned "Made in Europe" rules, which could disadvantage British producers and disrupt supply chains that are deeply integrated with the EU. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has raised concerns that British-built vehicles could be excluded from public contracts reserved for EU products, which could have dire consequences for the UK automotive industry.
As Burnham navigates these challenges, he must also contend with the political risks associated with revisiting Brexit. Any attempt to rejoin the EU could open old wounds and reignite divisions within the electorate. Critics argue that such moves could be seen as a betrayal of the working-class voters who supported Brexit in 2016.
Amid these pressures, Khan has outlined a potential roadmap for rejoining the EU, which includes a phased approach. He suggests that the first step should involve resetting relations with Brussels, followed by a push for rejoining the customs union, and eventually seeking associate membership of the EU. He argues that a future Labour manifesto should clearly state the party's intention to rejoin the EU, framing it as a necessary step for the UK’s economic and social wellbeing.
“If Canada can have associate membership with the EU, we can do much more than that,” Khan remarked, pointing to Canada’s growing relationship with Brussels as a model for what the UK could achieve. He believes that rejoining the EU would benefit the economy and improve social and cultural ties between the UK and Europe.
As the Labour Party conference progresses, the debate over the future of the UK’s relationship with the EU is likely to intensify. Burnham's leadership will be examined as he attempts to balance the demands of party members with the realities of a divided electorate.
In his keynote speech, Burnham reiterated the importance of hope and unity, stating, "We've had a decade since Brexit, and it's been a decade of too much drift, too much division." With the next general election on the horizon, the decisions made in Liverpool could shape the future of Britain's relationship with the EU for years to come.
As the clock ticks down to the next election, the question remains: will Labour embrace a bold new approach to rejoining the EU, or will it continue to navigate the complex waters of post-Brexit politics with caution?