A fresh dispute has erupted within the Labour Party over the United Kingdom's relationship with the European Union, just days after the party suffered significant electoral defeats to Nigel Farage's pro-Brexit Reform UK party across the country. The internal conflict has been reignited by comments from potential leadership contenders, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy accusing Wes Streeting of reopening the 'Brexit wars' within the party.
Wes Streeting's Pro-EU Stance
Wes Streeting, the former health secretary, has made rejoining the European Union a central plank of his leadership campaign. He described leaving the EU as a 'catastrophic mistake' that has left the UK 'less wealthy, less powerful, and less in control than at any point since before the Industrial Revolution.' He argued that Britain's future lies with Europe and that the country should seek a new special relationship with the bloc, with the ultimate goal of rejoining. However, he stressed that this would require a new mandate, such as a general election.
Andy Burnham's Cautious Approach
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester and a leading contender to replace Sir Keir Starmer, has faced pressure over his stance on Brexit. While he previously stated at the Labour Party conference that he hopes the UK will rejoin the EU in his lifetime, he has been more cautious in his current campaign. With a crucial by-election in Makerfield—a constituency that voted to leave in 2016—Burnham has indicated he will not prioritise the EU issue. When asked about rejoining, he told ITV: 'I've said in the long-term there is a case for that, but I'm not advocating that in this byelection.'
Angela Rayner's Position
Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister, has rejected revisiting the Brexit debate. She told ITV that the country should not go back to arguing about being 'in or out.' Instead, she emphasised the need to address the practical challenges Brexit has created, particularly for businesses. Rayner, who campaigned to remain in the EU during the 2016 referendum, acknowledged that Brexit has hindered businesses' competitiveness and access to the EU market, but insisted the focus should be on solving those issues rather than reopening old arguments.
The diverging positions among Labour's leadership hopefuls highlight the ongoing internal divisions over Brexit, as the party seeks to recover from recent electoral setbacks and define its future direction.
