The Cabinet minister was challenged over PM Andy Burnham’s push for closer EU ties.
Wes Streeting has come under fire on GB News over Andy Burnham’s bid to reverse Brexit. The Defence Secretary was challenged by host Camilla Tominey on Labour’s claims that the UK’s exit from the EU has damaged the economy while trumpeting economic growth. She said: “Hang on. Let me just ask you something please. There’s a paradox here in the minds of Labour politicians. On one hand, you’re saying Brexit has irrevocably harmed the British economy and then in the same breath you’re saying we’ve got the fastest growth in the Eurozone. Both can’t be true, can they?”
Mr Streeting replied: “Well, I think they are both true and let me tell you that in terms of the cost of leaving the EU and the impact it’s had not just on economic cooperation but also security cooperation, it has been significant.
We are where we are. The EU and membership of the EU is not an on and off switch. You can’t just leave and then just rejoin.
“There are lots of ways in which we could work more closely with the EU without rejoining but they would all have to be negotiated and would all come with some choices and trade-offs and what the Prime Minister wants to do is have a grown-up conversation with the country about that as well as negotiating with Brussels to see what we can achieve for a closer working relationship. If it’s not in our national interest we won’t do it.”
GB News presenter Camilla Tominey grills Cabinet minister Wes Streeting (Image: GB NEWS)
It comes as the Prime Minister will set out options later this year for closer ties with Brussels.
He has hinted Labour’s next election manifesto could include a pledge for a fresh referendum or even a promise to rejoin the EU without a vote.
Labour’s current manifesto has “red lines” which bar rejoining the EU’s single market or the customs union.
“HANG ON!” Wes Streeting Faces Tough GB News Grilling over Brexit as Heated Exchange Sparks Political Debate
Wes Streeting has found himself at the centre of a heated political debate following a challenging interview on GB News about Brexit and the future of Britain’s relationship with the European Union. The Health Secretary was questioned about Labour’s approach to Brexit, economic growth and the possibility of closer cooperation with European countries. What began as a discussion about economic policy quickly developed into a tense exchange, with Streeting defending the government’s position while facing questions about whether Labour has been sufficiently honest about the consequences of leaving the European Union.
The confrontation reflects a continuing political problem for the Labour Party. Brexit remains one of the most significant and divisive decisions in modern British history. Although the United Kingdom formally left the European Union in January 2020, disagreements about its economic consequences and the country’s future relationship with Europe remain unresolved. For Labour, the challenge is to improve relations with European partners without appearing to undermine the result of the 2016 referendum.
During the interview, Streeting was challenged about whether Brexit had damaged Britain’s economy and whether the government should consider reversing some of the decisions associated with leaving the EU. The interviewer pressed him on Labour’s previous promises to make Brexit work, questioning what that phrase actually means in practical terms.
Streeting defended the government’s position by arguing that Britain must focus on economic cooperation rather than repeatedly reopening the political arguments of the past. He suggested that stronger relationships with European countries could help improve trade, investment, security and opportunities for British businesses.
However, critics argue that this approach does not go far enough. They believe that the government must be more direct about the economic disadvantages created by leaving the single market and customs union. Some argue that closer alignment with European regulations and trade arrangements would reduce administrative costs and improve opportunities for British exporters.
Brexit and Britain’s Economic Challenges
The economic consequences of Brexit remain central to the political debate. Before the referendum, supporters of leaving the European Union argued that Britain would gain greater control over its laws, borders, trade policy and financial contributions. They believed that independence from EU institutions would allow the country to negotiate more flexible international agreements and develop its own economic priorities.
However, leaving the EU also introduced new administrative requirements for businesses trading with European markets. Companies have faced additional customs procedures, regulatory checks and paperwork. Smaller exporters, in particular, may find these requirements expensive and difficult to manage.
For businesses that depend on European supply chains, even relatively small administrative changes can create significant challenges. Delays at borders, additional certification requirements and differences in product regulations can increase costs and reduce competitiveness.
Supporters of Brexit argue that these problems should be addressed through better domestic policies and international trade agreements rather than by returning to EU membership. They also point to the UK’s ability to establish independent trade relationships with countries outside Europe.
Nevertheless, critics question whether these opportunities have fully compensated for the additional barriers facing British businesses in the European market.
Labour’s Difficult Political Position
Streeting’s interview highlights the difficult position Labour occupies in the Brexit debate. The party must appeal to voters who supported leaving the EU as well as those who strongly opposed it.
Many Labour supporters voted Remain in 2016, particularly in major cities and younger demographic groups. However, significant numbers of traditional Labour voters in industrial communities supported Brexit because they wanted greater political control and believed that the existing economic system had failed them.
Reversing Brexit could therefore create political difficulties for Labour. The government risks alienating voters who believe that the referendum result should be respected. At the same time, refusing to consider closer economic cooperation could disappoint businesses and voters who believe Brexit has created unnecessary obstacles.
This explains why Labour has generally emphasised practical improvements rather than immediate membership of the EU or the single market.
The Debate over the Single Market
One of the most controversial questions concerns whether Britain should move closer to the European single market.
The single market allows goods, services, capital and people to move between participating countries under common rules. Before Brexit, British businesses benefited from access to this system without many of the additional trading barriers that now exist.
Rejoining the single market could potentially reduce some trade barriers and improve economic cooperation. However, it would also involve accepting significant regulatory obligations and potentially reconsidering aspects of the UK’s independent trade and immigration policies.
Supporters argue that economic benefits could outweigh these disadvantages. Opponents believe that returning to arrangements similar to EU membership would undermine the sovereignty that Brexit was intended to restore.
Streeting therefore faces a difficult question: how far should Britain move towards Europe without fundamentally changing the political settlement established by the referendum?
The Role of GB News and Political Accountability
The GB News interview also highlights the role of television journalism in holding politicians accountable. Political interviewers are expected to challenge government representatives, particularly when their statements involve important national issues.
Supporters of the interviewer’s approach may argue that politicians should be required to explain precisely what their policies mean rather than relying on broad expressions such as “making Brexit work”. They believe voters deserve clear answers about trade, immigration, economic growth and Britain’s future relationship with Europe.
On the other hand, supporters of Streeting may argue that political interviews can become excessively confrontational, making it difficult to explain complicated policies in sufficient detail.
Nevertheless, difficult questioning is an important part of democratic accountability. Ministers should be prepared to defend their decisions and explain how their policies will affect businesses, workers and households.
What Does Brexit Mean for Ordinary People?
For ordinary British citizens, Brexit is not simply an argument about constitutional arrangements or political sovereignty. It has practical implications for employment, prices, travel, education and business opportunities.
Some people value the greater independence Britain gained through leaving the EU. Others are more concerned about the additional barriers affecting trade, employment and international cooperation.
Young people may also have different priorities from older generations. Access to European education programmes, employment opportunities and easier travel arrangements can be important considerations when evaluating Britain’s future relationship with Europe.
The government must therefore recognise that there is no single interpretation of Brexit shared by the entire population.
Britain’s Future Relationship with Europe
Looking ahead, Labour faces pressure to establish a clearer long-term strategy. Improving cooperation with European countries could help address shared challenges involving defence, energy security, organised crime, scientific research and international trade.
However, closer cooperation must be accompanied by realistic explanations of its costs and benefits. The government should identify which agreements would improve Britain’s economic position and how these arrangements would affect national sovereignty and regulatory independence.
A practical approach would involve prioritising areas where cooperation produces clear advantages while maintaining transparency about the compromises involved.
The government must also avoid allowing Brexit to dominate every political discussion. Britain faces major challenges involving economic growth, healthcare, housing, education and public finances. European cooperation may contribute to addressing these problems, but it cannot replace effective domestic government.
Conclusion
Wes Streeting’s heated GB News interview reflects the continuing political sensitivity of Brexit and the difficulties facing Labour as it attempts to improve relations with the European Union. The government must balance economic opportunities against the political importance of respecting the referendum result.
Although closer cooperation with Europe could provide benefits for British businesses and public institutions, questions remain about sovereignty, regulation and the future of immigration policy. Streeting’s challenge is to explain how Labour intends to achieve practical improvements without creating further uncertainty.
Ultimately, Brexit should be judged not simply by political slogans or arguments about who was right in 2016, but by its consequences for Britain’s economy and society. The public deserves an honest discussion about what has changed, what remains difficult and what realistic options are available. The future of Britain’s relationship with Europe will depend on whether political leaders can move beyond confrontation and develop policies that deliver measurable benefits for the country.