In recent weeks, there has been much discussion about the UK’s long-term relationship with the EU, and the possibility of returning to the bloc.
Andy Burnham has been highly critical of Brexit and has said he will consider all options as part of his 10-year plan for Britain.
In a statement to the House of Commons on Monday, the prime minister called for “deeper cooperation” with the EU to help drive economic growth in the UK, and said it was an “immediate priority” for him to secure a successful outcome at the EU-UK summit next month.
Momentum growing behind Brexit reversal
Last month, during his Labour conference speech, Burnham said Brexit had caused “more harm than good” and he would look for a new consensus on what Britain’s relationship with the EU should be.
This was followed by the prime minister confirming that potentially rejoining the EU is an option he and his government will consider.
Away from Westminster, public opinion has completely shifted on Brexit as the irrefutable evidence of the harm it has caused to the country mounts up.
Along with all this, European governments are urging the UK to return to the bloc as the global picture grows increasingly unstable in a world with Donald Trump as US president.
We have always been firmly of the opinion that Brexit should be reversed and that leaving the EU was one of the greatest acts of political self-harm ever seen.
However, as much as we’d like to see a world with the UK back in the EU, we have to acknowledge that the only way this can happen is with a referendum.
This week, Labour MP Emily Thornberry argued a referendum on rejoining would not be needed. She suggested that Labour could put a pledge to rejoin the EU in their next general election manifesto, and that this would be a clear mandate from voters should they win the election.
This is an argument that London Mayor Sadiq Khan has also suggested, urging Labour to campaign on rejoining the EU at the next election.
In an ideal world, this sounds like a nice, clean solution. Voters would be presented with a clear option at a general election, which would also help avoid a no-doubt divisive and the debate dragging on for months afterwards as the nation awaits a referendum.
However, this can’t be the route forward.
Only another EU referendum would give Brexit reversal legitimacy
Firstly, a democratic and constitutional precedent has been set over the UK’s EU membership. There have been two national referendums on the matter. The first was on joining in 1975. To reverse this decision, it was decided that another referendum was needed in 2016.
If we want to reverse THAT decision, a third referendum will be required. This is before we even consider what deal we would be allowed to rejoin the EU on.
Secondly, such a major decision would, rightly, require a undeniable mandate for its legitimacy. Labour won their landslide majority in 2024 with just 33.7% of the vote. The Conservatives and Reform won a combined 38% of the vote.
This would be no mandate for Labour to reverse Brexit, and would fail to put the argument to bed. It may well be that another referendum would require a minimum turnout or a majority of more than half.
Lastly, rejoining the EU off the basis of a general election victory could spark more instability. If a government is able take us back into the EU without a referendum, then a government could take us back out without a referendum.
The EU would know this.
Unfortunately, another referendum is the only legitimate route the UK would have back into the EU. You can’t just ignore democratic processes when it suits your argument.
Yes, it would likely be as divisive, toxic, mean-spirited and unpleasant as the 2016 referendum. But it will be up to the nation to decide if that’s a price we’re willing to pay to have the opportunity to return to the EU.
Labour should include a pledge of a referendum in their next manifesto, not a pledge to rejoin.
A referendum was the only way to leave the EU – it will be the only way we can bring the Brexit nightmare to an end and rejoin.
The UK Should Rejoin the EU – But This Has to Be Through Another Referendum
The decision to leave the European Union in 2016 remains one of the most significant and controversial moments in modern British political history. Almost a decade after the Brexit referendum, the consequences of that decision continue to shape the country’s economy, international relationships and domestic politics. While supporters of Brexit once promised greater sovereignty, stronger economic opportunities and increased control over immigration, many people now question whether leaving the EU has delivered the benefits that were promised. There is growing support for rebuilding Britain’s relationship with Europe, with some advocating full membership once again. However, if the United Kingdom is to rejoin the European Union, the decision must be made through another national referendum. Such an important constitutional and political change should not be imposed by a government without obtaining the explicit consent of the British people.
One of the strongest arguments for rejoining the EU concerns the British economy. Membership of the European Union previously provided British businesses with access to the Single Market, allowing goods, services, capital and people to move relatively freely across member states. This arrangement helped British companies trade with European partners, attract investment and participate in international supply chains. Since Brexit, businesses have faced additional customs procedures, regulatory requirements and administrative costs when trading with European countries. Smaller companies, in particular, have sometimes struggled to manage the additional paperwork and expenses associated with exporting.
Rejoining the EU could help reduce these barriers and restore closer economic integration with Britain’s largest regional trading partner. British manufacturers, financial institutions, agricultural businesses and service providers could benefit from more predictable trading arrangements. Improved access to European markets could also encourage foreign investment and create opportunities for employment and economic development. According to research by the Office for Budget Responsibility, Brexit is expected to reduce the UK’s long-term productivity by approximately four per cent compared with remaining in the EU. Although rejoining would not automatically reverse every economic difficulty, it could provide an opportunity to improve Britain’s long-term economic prospects.
Another important consideration is Britain’s international influence. Before Brexit, the United Kingdom was one of the EU’s most influential members, participating directly in discussions about European regulations, trade policy, security cooperation and international relations. Since leaving, Britain has had to negotiate with the EU from outside the institutions that shape many of the rules affecting European markets. Rejoining would restore its representation within the European decision-making system and provide opportunities to influence policies affecting the continent.
In an increasingly unstable international environment, cooperation between European countries is particularly important. Russia’s war against Ukraine, international security challenges, energy uncertainty and competition between major global powers demonstrate that individual countries cannot always protect their interests effectively without working with others. Britain and the EU share important security, economic and diplomatic interests. Membership could strengthen cooperation in areas such as intelligence, defence, counterterrorism, cyber security and international diplomacy.
Nevertheless, the argument for rejoining should not ignore the concerns that motivated many people to support Brexit in 2016. Sovereignty, immigration, democratic accountability and national identity remain important political issues. Some voters believe that membership of the EU would restrict Britain’s ability to make independent decisions or require it to follow regulations developed by European institutions. Others are concerned about freedom of movement and its potential impact on immigration, housing and public services.
These concerns deserve serious consideration rather than dismissal. A successful campaign to rejoin the EU would need to explain clearly what membership would involve, what obligations Britain would accept and what benefits citizens could reasonably expect. The British public should also understand that the country might not automatically regain the special arrangements it enjoyed before Brexit. Previous opt-outs, including its exemption from joining the euro and participation in the Schengen area, would not necessarily be available under new membership negotiations.
This is precisely why another referendum is essential.
The 2016 referendum established a democratic mandate for leaving the European Union. Although the political and economic circumstances have changed considerably since then, that original decision cannot simply be ignored. If politicians now believe that Britain should reverse Brexit and seek full EU membership, they must give voters the opportunity to make that decision directly. It would be inconsistent with democratic principles to argue that the public should decide to leave the EU but should not be consulted when the country considers returning.
A second referendum would also provide political legitimacy to any future decision. Rejoining the EU would involve significant changes to Britain’s legal, economic and constitutional arrangements. Such a decision would affect future governments, businesses, workers, students and generations of British citizens. A government elected through a general election may have a mandate to improve relations with Europe, but that does not necessarily mean it has received a specific mandate to restore full EU membership.
Recent opinion polls suggest that public attitudes towards Brexit have changed. An Ipsos survey conducted between 15 and 22 October 2026 found that 56 per cent of Britons would vote to apply to rejoin the European Union, compared with 30 per cent who would prefer to remain outside. The same research found that 49 per cent supported holding another referendum before the next general election, while 51 per cent supported one after the election. These figures suggest that the question of Britain’s European future remains an important issue for the electorate.
Furthermore, a YouGov poll conducted on 4–5 October 2026 found that 64 per cent of Britons believed a referendum should take place if the government successfully negotiated an agreement to rejoin the EU. Only 23 per cent thought the government should be able to make the decision without consulting the public. This demonstrates that support for closer European integration and support for democratic consultation are closely connected, although they are not necessarily identical.
A referendum would also provide an opportunity for a more informed national debate than the one that took place in 2016. The previous campaign was characterised by intense political disagreements, competing economic predictions and controversial claims about immigration, public spending and national sovereignty. A future referendum should avoid repeating these problems. Instead, the government should publish clear information about the proposed membership arrangements, economic consequences, immigration rules and constitutional obligations.
Both supporters and opponents of rejoining should be given equal opportunities to present their arguments. Voters should be able to examine the potential benefits alongside the possible disadvantages. Independent economic assessments, transparent government information and public debates would help ensure that citizens make decisions based on evidence rather than political slogans.
The European Union must also play an important role in this process. Rejoining cannot be achieved through a British referendum alone. Under Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, a country seeking membership must apply and satisfy the relevant political, economic and legal conditions. Its application requires approval from EU institutions and unanimous agreement among existing member states. The UK would therefore need to negotiate acceptable membership terms with its European partners before a final public vote could take place.
This process could take considerable time, and there is no guarantee that Britain would receive exactly the same arrangements it previously enjoyed. Nevertheless, the prospect of returning to the EU could provide a framework for rebuilding trust and establishing a more stable long-term relationship between Britain and its European neighbours.
Critics may argue that another referendum would reopen divisions within British society and create further political uncertainty. They may also claim that the country should concentrate on domestic priorities such as the National Health Service, housing, education and the cost of living rather than revisit Brexit. These concerns are understandable. However, the European question cannot be separated entirely from domestic economic and political challenges. Britain’s trading relationship with Europe affects employment, investment, public finances and opportunities for businesses throughout the country.
A carefully organised referendum would not necessarily deepen divisions. On the contrary, it could provide a democratic mechanism for resolving an issue that continues to generate political disagreement. The important point is that the decision must follow a transparent process and reflect the informed will of the electorate.
Ultimately, the debate about Britain’s future relationship with Europe is not simply about reversing a decision made in 2016. It is about deciding what kind of country the United Kingdom wants to become in the decades ahead. Rejoining the European Union could offer economic opportunities, strengthen international cooperation and restore Britain’s influence in European affairs. However, these potential benefits must be weighed against the obligations and compromises associated with membership.
The British people made the decision to leave the EU through a referendum, and they should have the opportunity to decide whether to return through the same democratic process. Parliament and the government have an important responsibility to provide leadership, negotiate realistic terms and explain the consequences of different choices. Ultimately, however, the final decision should belong to the electorate.
Britain may have a strong case for rejoining the European Union, but democratic legitimacy must come first. A second referendum would ensure that any decision to return to Europe is not merely the political ambition of a government or a particular generation of politicians, but a choice supported by the people themselves. If the UK is to turn the page on Brexit, it should do so with public consent, democratic transparency and a clear vision for its future in Europe.