Labour’s Brexit Paradox

The UK’s complex relationship with the EU is about to get even more complicated. A government minister’s recent comments have raised hopes – or fears, depending on one’s perspective – that a future Labour manifesto could pledge to rejoin the EU. This prospect has been fueled by Andy Burnham’s clear support for rejoining the bloc and his party’s leaders’ efforts to reconcile their desire to rejoin with the will of the British people.

The debate over Britain’s place within Europe has raged for decades, with politicians promising to “take back control” or “make our own way in the world.” However, Labour is now grappling with how to position itself on Europe, and whether to take the risk of reopening a debate that was thought to have been settled in 2016.

Labour’s leaders are caught between their desire to rejoin the EU and the significant majority of Britons who still oppose it. Polls show that even those who acknowledge Brexit’s far-reaching consequences for the economy and relationships remain opposed to rejoining the bloc. This paradox at the heart of Labour’s policy-making is a symptom of a deeper crisis: how to represent the complex and often contradictory views of the British people in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.

Hamish Falconer’s comments suggest that this decision has not yet been taken, but it’s clear that Labour leaders are grappling with how to position themselves on Europe. Rejoining the EU would require significant concessions from the UK, including acceptance of free movement and participation in key European policies. This would likely spark intense opposition within Labour’s own ranks, as well as among Conservative MPs who still cling to the idea of Brexit as a defining feature of British identity.

Rejoining the EU would also raise difficult questions about accountability and sovereignty. Would Britain be willing to accept EU regulations on matters like data protection or environmental policy? And how would this impact the UK’s ability to set its own trade policies?

Lord Kinnock’s impassioned call for rejoining the EU is a reminder that Brexit has not just had economic consequences, but also social and cultural ones. As he puts it, rejoining the bloc is “the only patriotic thing to do” – a notion that will resonate with many on the left who see Europe as a symbol of progressive values.

However, for all its flaws, Brexit was a vote about more than just economics or trade policies. It was also a statement about British identity and self-governance. Labour leaders will need to navigate this complex terrain carefully if they are to avoid alienating their own supporters, let alone the wider public.

The decision on rejoining the EU is not just about policy; it’s about politics – specifically, the art of representing the people in an era of rising populism and fragmentation. If Labour chooses to take a leap of faith on Europe, they will need to be prepared for the consequences, both at home and abroad.

As Falconer noted, the world has changed since 2016, but so too have our perspectives on what it means to be British in an increasingly globalised world. As Labour grapples with its own Brexit paradox, one thing is clear: there’s no going back. The question now is whether the party will choose to go forward, and if so, where.