The debate over Brexit and rejoining the EU has been reignited following Andy Burnham’s suggestion that he is open to bringing Britain back into the bloc, reports BritPanorama.
In a significant intervention during his Labour Party conference speech on Tuesday, Burnham stated that Britain’s decision to leave the EU had done “more harm than good” and promised to outline options to the public around the time of a UK-EU summit later this year.
On Wednesday morning, he reiterated his position, asserting he could go “all the way” in proposing to rejoin the European Union.
Mr Burnham’s comments have reopened discussions about a second referendum, ten years after the nation voted to leave the bloc.
The Independent launched its Europe: The Way Back campaign in June this year, advocating for closer relations between Britain and Europe. Former chancellor George Osborne called for a return to the customs union in a recent interview, while Sir John Major suggested rejoining the single market within the next five years.
Several prominent figures and celebrities have maintained pro-EU stances since the 2016 vote, with some directly supporting rejoining.
Peter Reid
Ex-Everton star Peter Reid was among the first to embrace Burnham’s bid to reconsider rejoining the EU. “I’m all for it,” he told Sky News, criticizing the previous referendum as misleading.
He added support for Burnham’s cautious but steady approach. “It’s a hard gig but he’s doing it his way and I’m fully supportive,” he stated.
Sir Richard Branson
Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson has labeled Brexit an “unmitigated disaster,” advocating for voters to receive a second opportunity to decide on the nation’s EU relationship. He described Brexit as costing the UK up to 8% of its GDP.
“As a majority of UK voters now feel regret over the Brexit vote, they must be given a second chance to determine what is in their best interest,” he commented.
Carol Vorderman
TV presenter Carol Vorderman has expressed consistent criticism of Brexit and remains pro-EU. She has suggested that alongside a general election in 2024, a second EU referendum should take place.
“After the catastrophe known as Brexit, Brits would overwhelmingly vote to rejoin if we had a referendum,” she stated.
Tony Blair
The think tank chaired by Tony Blair has advised that Britain should aim to rejoin the EU within the next decade, in a structured relationship where “everything is on the table.” Sir Tony acknowledged that the political landscape has shifted since the 2016 referendum.
“The red lines we drew in 2016 are not the same as those in 2026,” he noted.
Sir Ed Davey
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has outlined his party’s long-term goal of rejoining the EU, promising to advocate for closer ties in their 2024 manifesto.
His plans involve cutting taxes by engaging in trade agreements that would facilitate rejoining the single market.
Sir Sadiq Khan
The mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, has urged Burnham to begin preparations for rejoining the EU, emphasizing the necessity of laying the groundwork now rather than waiting until a general election.
“The heavy lifting must be done now, explaining to the country the disbenefits of being outside the European Union,” he stated.
Gary Lineker
Football commentator Gary Lineker has previously supported calls for another referendum, indicating his discontent with how Brexit has been unfolding.
“I am not a politician but I know when something is going wrong and right now Brexit feels like it is going very wrong indeed,” he remarked.
Sir Patrick Stewart
Actor Sir Patrick Stewart was also vocal in backing the People’s Vote campaign, emphasizing the importance of public engagement in the Brexit debate.
In a past statement, he stressed the need for a more open dialogue surrounding Brexit’s implications.
As Prime Minister Andy Burnham navigates Britain’s complex relationship with Europe, the ramifications of these discussions could lead to significant political shifts in the coming years, as various factions push for a reconsideration of the UK’s EU status.
