How is rejoining possible when all the main political parties are opposed?

The biggest political problem with rejoining is this: how is it going to happen when none of the main parties have it as their policy?

Firstly, as we will see, that is not quite true. Secondly, party policies are not fixed for all time – they can and do change regularly based on changing levels of public support and campaigning.

The Labour government’s position

Labour’s position on Brexit has attracted the most scrutiny over the years, and this will only increase now that the party is in government.

Until recently, Labour preferred to avoid discussing Brexit, producing minimal policy beyond the slogan “make Brexit work”. However, the 2024 general election forced the publication of a more detailed position in the party manifesto.

While ruling out rejoining the single market or customs union, the manifesto says:

“We will reset the relationship and seek to deepen ties with our European friends, neighbours and allies... Labour will work to improve the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU, by tearing down unnecessary barriers to trade. We will seek to negotiate a veterinary agreement to prevent unnecessary border checks and help tackle the cost of food; will help our touring artists; and secure a mutual recognition agreement for professional qualifications to help open up markets for UK service exporters. Labour will seek an ambitious new UK-EU security pact to strengthen co-operation on the threats we face.”

At the time of writing, Labour in government has remained within the parameters of this manifesto position. Talks with the EU have been continuing under the banner of the 'Brexit reset'.

None of this is even close to a rejoin position, of course, but it is likely that the Labour government will significantly increase UK alignment with the EU during its term in office. While on one level that can be painted as simply ‘continuing Brexit’, it is also clear that the direction of travel is, slowly, towards the EU.

Over the coming years we will see campaigners inside the Labour Party pushing for the government to go further. Labour Movement for Europe, the pro-EU group of MPs inside the party, now has over 100 MPs. The majority of Labour Party members, the last time they were asked in a poll, wanted the party to go further and campaign to rejoin the EU.

Other parties

Most other progressive parties have a position that is one or two steps closer to rejoining than Labour’s. The Lib Dem manifesto said “EU membership ... remains our longer-term objective”.6 The SNP called for “an independent Scotland in the EU” while Plaid Cymru said that the UK as a whole “should re-enter the European Single Market and Customs Union at the earliest opportunity”. The Green Party, which increased its number of MPs from one to four, said “Rejoin the EU as soon as the political conditions are right”.

Overall this is another 89 MPs to add onto the pro‑EU tally – even if not necessarily the rejoin one. While this parliament is not about to rejoin, it will clearly look on increasing alignment with the EU much more sympathetically than the previous Tory majority.

With the generational rise in support for rejoining the EU, it is not an issue that the political parties will be able to avoid for much longer.

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