The Labour politician has made his latest intervention on Brexit
Sir Sadiq Khan is pushing for the UK to rejoin the EU (Image: Getty)
Sir Sadiq Khan has sparked outrage from Brexiteers over his latest demand for Britain to rejoin the European Union. The Labour Mayor of London claimed that Brexit has been “catastrophic” for the UK.
Sir Sadiq, an arch-Remainer, insisted that returning to Brussels is needed, amid global tensions including Russia‘s war in Ukraine and questions about US President Donald Trump‘s commitment to NATO. His intervention comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham is eyeing closer EU ties. In a letter to Minister for European Relations Hamish Falconer, he said: “Brexit is, I believe, the greatest act of economic and geopolitical self-harm in our country’s history.”
Andy Burnham is eyeing closer EU ties (Image: Getty)
Sir Sadiq said: “Since we voted to leave the EU, the evidence for Brexit’s catastrophic consequences for London and the UK has continued to mount.
“As Putin’s illegal and unconscionable invasion of Ukraine enters its fifth winter, President Trump’s unsettling ambivalence towards European security can no longer be ignored.
“His fondness for unilateralism has shaken the foundations of the transatlantic alliance, making the US an increasingly unpredictable and unreliable ally.
“And now, as his reckless war in Iran pushes up prices for British households, the folly of cutting ties with our closest neighbours is clearer than ever.
“In the geopolitical and economic storm we now find ourselves in, Europe offers Britain not just a safe harbour but a huge opportunity for growth.
“If we are to seize that opportunity, we must set our red lines aside and rebuild our relations with the EU.”
But Tory Brexiteer Susan Hall hit back at the London Mayor over his latest push for closer EU ties.
She said: “It is so typical of socialists that when they don’t like the outcome of a vote, they just want to re-run it until they get their result.
“The public have repeatedly backed Brexit and pro-Brexit Governments, and the issue was resolved until Andy Burnham decided to break Labour’s manifesto promise, renege on his promises not to touch the issue during the Makerfield by-election, and sought to capitulate to the bitter faction of Remainers in his party.
“If Lord Khan and the Prime Minister want to try and take us back into Europe, we will tell them again: we want out.”
Conservative MP Louie French added: “After a decade of failing Londoners on crime and transport, the Mayor of London continues to find new ways to try and distract from his failures.
“London desperately needs a new champion that will focus on their actual job of running London.”
It comes as the Prime Minister is due to set out options for the UK’s future relationship with the EU next month.
Mr Burnham has not ruled out a pledge to rejoin the EU without a referendum in Labour’s next manifesto.