Nearly three-quarters of Labour voters want Andy Burnham to include talks to rejoin the European Union in the party’s next manifesto, according to a major new poll released as the prime minister opened the door to returning to the bloc.

The survey by European Movement UK with Observant found Britons would vote by nearly two to one, 57 to 30 per cent, to become part of the EU again in another referendum. A majority of voters for all but one of the major parties backed a manifesto commitment to seek membership. Reform UK was the only party whose voters were against it.

The findings arrive as a leading think tank unveils a roadmap for Britain’s return within the next decade. The report, drawn up by the European Movement and seen by The Independent, is backed by Michael Heseltine, Neil Kinnock and Sir Vince Cable, and is being sent to the prime minister. It aims to get the UK back into the EU by 2036 or earlier and sets out ways past roadblocks such as the euro and Schengen.

Lord Heseltine said: “Ten years on since Brexit, this is how we solve our shared global problems.” Lord Kinnock added: “After 10 years out, 10 years to gain full admission again is sensible. But it could be less because the immovable realities of the continuing damage to our country, of proximity to our largest markets, security needs and political influence could propel stronger awareness of the need for UK membership of the EU on both sides of the Channel. It is essential that, in the meantime, the significance of the unpatriotic anti-European parties is flattened so that they are no longer an impediment to trust and progress.”

The push lands after the prime minister told the Labour conference he would look at options on Brexit. Labour voters are now pressing Burnham hard for a clear rejoin commitment, while the only clear resistance sits with Reform UK supporters who still reject the whole idea.

Labour Voters Push Burnham to Put EU Rejoin Talks in Manifesto

Andy Burnham is facing growing pressure from Labour voters and pro-European campaigners to include a commitment to negotiate Britain’s return to the European Union in the party’s next election manifesto. The debate has intensified as dissatisfaction with Brexit continues and Labour considers how far it should go in rebuilding Britain’s relationship with Europe.

A poll reported by The Independent on 11 October found that nearly three-quarters of Labour voters wanted the party to include talks on rejoining the EU in its next manifesto. The same survey found that British voters would support rejoining by 57% to 30% in a hypothetical future referendum. The findings were produced by European Movement UK in partnership with Obsurvant. <Cite refs={[“turn578889search0″,”turn578889search1”]}/>

The figures add to pressure on Burnham, who has opened the door to examining Britain’s long-term relationship with the EU. However, public support for discussing membership does not automatically mean that every voter would support the eventual terms of re-entry. The political challenge is turning broad dissatisfaction with Brexit into a clear, workable policy.

Labour Supporters Want a Clearer Commitment

For many pro-European Labour supporters, closer cooperation with Brussels is no longer enough. They want the party to acknowledge the possibility that Britain could eventually return to full EU membership and to explain what steps would be necessary to achieve it.

Their argument is that the economic consequences of Brexit have become increasingly difficult to ignore. Businesses continue to face trade barriers, while political leaders are reconsidering whether Britain’s current arrangements provide sufficient access to European markets and influence over decisions affecting the continent.

The October polling suggests that a manifesto commitment to negotiate re-entry could appeal to a substantial section of Labour’s electoral base. It also indicates that the issue is attracting attention beyond traditional pro-European campaign groups.

However, a manifesto promise to begin negotiations would not mean that Britain could simply rejoin. The terms would have to be negotiated with EU member states, and any final arrangement would involve difficult questions about regulation, financial contributions, migration and the country’s future role in European institutions.

Supporters of a manifesto commitment argue that these issues are reasons to begin a serious national discussion rather than reasons to rule out membership before negotiations have started.

Burnham Has Left the Door Open

Burnham has moved away from the more restrictive approach to European integration adopted by the previous Labour leadership. In September, when asked whether he could rule out a promise to rejoin the EU in the next manifesto, he described the question as one for another day rather than rejecting the possibility outright. <Cite refs={[“turn578889search2″,”turn578889search8”]}/>

Since then, he has argued that Britain must take a more realistic approach to the consequences of Brexit. On 12 October, he urged MPs to examine options for closer cooperation with Europe, saying that maintaining the existing relationship without seeking improvements would be inadequate.

His immediate priorities include discussions over trade, food and agricultural standards, emissions trading and opportunities for young people to live and work across borders. A UK-EU summit scheduled for 20 November is expected to provide an opportunity to discuss these areas and the longer-term relationship. <Cite refs={[“turn578889search3″,”turn578889search6”]}/>

These proposals stop short of a formal decision to seek EU membership. They represent a process of reassessing Britain’s options, with full re-entry remaining one possibility under discussion.

That distinction matters politically. Burnham must decide whether the next manifesto should promise practical improvements to the current agreement, commit to a closer economic relationship or go further by explicitly seeking membership.

Each option would carry different implications for Britain’s economy and its relationship with European institutions.

A Ten-Year Roadmap for Rejoining

The pressure on Burnham has been reinforced by proposals for a long-term plan to return Britain to the EU.

European Movement UK has promoted a roadmap that aims for re-entry by 2036 or earlier. The plan argues that a clear electoral mandate would be needed before formal negotiations could proceed and that a future agreement would have to be ratified through a referendum in Britain. <Cite refs={[“turn578889search1”]}/>

Supporters say a ten-year horizon would give the government time to prepare the country, negotiate with European capitals and address concerns about the terms of membership.

The roadmap also highlights several complicated questions. EU membership would involve financial contributions and acceptance of the bloc’s legal framework. The issue of the euro would need to be addressed, while participation in the Schengen travel area would raise further political and practical questions.

The United Kingdom’s previous membership and its continued alignment with parts of EU law could be relevant to negotiations. Nevertheless, Britain could not assume that the terms it enjoyed before Brexit would automatically be restored. EU member states would have a say in the conditions of any future accession, and agreement would be required across the bloc.

The proposed timeline is therefore an ambition rather than a guaranteed outcome.

The Economic Case for Reconsidering Brexit

Supporters of rejoining argue that Britain has paid an economic price for leaving the EU. They point to additional trade administration, regulatory barriers and reduced access to some forms of cross-border cooperation.

On 16 October, the director general of the British Chambers of Commerce called on Burnham to prioritise addressing the economic damage associated with Brexit. She cited concerns among businesses about the current trade arrangements and urged the government to pursue measures that could improve conditions for companies trading with Europe. <Cite refs={[“turn578889news13”]}/>

For businesses that rely on European suppliers or customers, changes to customs procedures and regulatory requirements can increase costs and create delays. Supporters of closer integration argue that a more ambitious agreement could reduce some of these obstacles and make British firms more competitive.

However, the economic effects of rejoining would depend on the terms negotiated and the adjustment required by businesses. Membership would bring obligations as well as benefits, and it would not automatically resolve Britain’s wider challenges involving productivity, investment, housing, skills or public finances.

Critics also question whether the economic case for rejoining is as straightforward as campaigners suggest. They argue that Britain should examine whether targeted agreements could secure some benefits without accepting the full framework of EU membership.

The debate therefore involves not only whether Brexit has created costs, but which future arrangement would offer the best balance of economic opportunity, political independence and practical cooperation.

The Political Risks for Labour

A manifesto commitment to seek EU membership could attract voters who want a closer relationship with Europe. But it could also create difficulties for Labour MPs representing constituencies where support for Brexit remains strong.

For some voters, leaving the EU was primarily about national sovereignty and democratic control. They may accept that trade with Europe should be easier while opposing a return to membership.

This creates a challenge for Burnham. A policy that appeals to pro-European voters in large cities could be less popular among some communities that supported Leave in 2016. The strength of those differences will depend on local circumstances and the exact wording of any proposal.

The Conservatives have opposed a return to EU membership, arguing that Britain should not reverse the referendum decision. Reform UK has also positioned itself against rejoining, presenting Brexit as a decision that should be defended rather than reconsidered.

Labour would therefore face political opposition from parties that may portray a manifesto pledge as an attempt to undo the result of the referendum.

Supporters would counter that a manifesto commitment followed by a referendum would allow voters to make a new decision with the benefit of a decade’s experience outside the bloc.

The key question is whether Labour can explain its position clearly enough to avoid conflating practical cooperation with full membership.

What Would Rejoining Actually Require?

Even if Burnham decided to include a commitment in Labour’s next manifesto, the process would be lengthy and uncertain.

Britain would first need a clear political mandate to seek membership. The government would then have to establish negotiating priorities and obtain agreement from EU member states to the terms of accession.

Questions about free movement, financial contributions, regulatory alignment and the euro would need to be addressed. Britain’s future relationship with European institutions would also have implications for domestic law and policymaking.

There is no guarantee that negotiations would conclude within the proposed ten-year period. The timetable would depend on political developments in Britain and Europe, the complexity of the negotiations and the willingness of member states to agree.

A referendum could ultimately be required to secure public approval for a final deal. That means a manifesto pledge would begin a political process rather than determine its outcome.

The government would need to provide voters with enough information to understand the benefits, costs and obligations of any proposed agreement.

The Road to the November Summit

The upcoming UK-EU summit will offer an early indication of how far Burnham is prepared to move beyond limited changes to the current relationship.

Progress on food standards, trade arrangements, emissions trading and youth mobility could demonstrate the benefits of closer cooperation without immediately reopening the question of membership.

But pro-European campaigners may argue that these measures are insufficient if Britain continues to face barriers associated with being outside the single market and customs union.

Burnham will have to balance immediate economic priorities against the growing demand for a clearer long-term objective. Setting out options for the future could allow the government to assess the evidence before committing itself to a particular route.

At the same time, continued ambiguity may frustrate supporters who want a more explicit promise and critics who want a firm assurance that membership will not return to the agenda.

The summit will not settle the issue, but it could help define the choices that Labour eventually presents to voters.

Conclusion

Pressure from Labour voters to include EU rejoin talks in the next manifesto is growing, supported by polling that suggests substantial backing for both negotiations and eventual membership.

Burnham has made clear that he is willing to reconsider Britain’s long-term relationship with Europe, but he has not committed the government to formally seeking re-entry. His immediate focus remains on exploring practical improvements and assessing the available options.

A manifesto pledge to negotiate membership would represent a major political decision, with consequences for trade, migration, sovereignty and Britain’s role in Europe. It would also require negotiations with EU member states and, potentially, a further public vote.

For Labour, the challenge is to decide whether it should present full membership as a long-term objective or concentrate on closer cooperation outside the bloc. Either route will require a clear explanation of the likely benefits, costs and compromises.

The debate is no longer simply about whether Britain should improve its relationship with Europe. It is increasingly about how far that relationship should go, what the public should be asked to decide and whether the next election should provide a mandate to begin the process of rejoining.