Senior officials in Downing Street have begun consulting thinktanks and polling organisations as the government explores whether to promise a return to the European Union, according to The Guardian. The move marks a dramatic shift from the position of former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who ruled out rejoining during his tenure.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham used his first Labour conference speech as leader to announce a review of Britain’s relationship with Europe. Speaking to delegates on Tuesday, he said Brexit had “done more harm than good” and promised to set out different options for the country’s long-term relationship with European partners.
The following day, Burnham clarified on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the review would consider the full spectrum of possibilities. “We could stay as we are. That’s definitely an option, if people think this is the right place to stay,” he said. “We could look at what George Osborne has said about a customs union, we could look at what the Liberal Democrats said at their conference about the single market, or we could go all the way.”
Government testing the waters
According to The Guardian, aides to Burnham have been speaking with EU experts across multiple organisations to gauge how the public would react to a promise to rejoin. The conversations form part of a wider effort to test consensus on the issue ahead of potentially including such a pledge in Labour’s next manifesto.
Burnham has previously stated he wants to see Britain rejoin the bloc “in his lifetime”. However, the government faces internal divisions, with some officials worried that making such a promise could revive the political fortunes of Nigel Farage and his Reform UK party.
Recent research appears to support the case for rejoining. Last week, the Tony Blair Institute released a paper arguing that Burnham should seek talks with Brussels, though it suggested this should only happen if Europe relaxed regulations in sectors including energy and technology. On the same day, campaign group Best for Britain published a YouGov megapoll indicating Labour could more than double its seat total if it promised to rejoin in the next election.
Over the coming weeks, the Institute for Public Policy Research will release a paper calling for the country to rejoin, while Think Labour has been examining the practical difficulties of doing so.
European response
The prospect of Britain returning to the EU received a warm welcome from French President Emmanuel Macron. “Welcome back,” he said in English at a press conference in Madrid on Wednesday. Speaking in French, he added: “If the British want to come back and if the prime minister is moving in that direction, I think that is very good news, both for his country and for the Europeans.”
An EU spokesperson told The Guardian that the UK is “a close and valued partner” and that Brussels remains “open to engaging on the options it may put forward”. One EU diplomat confirmed support for a UK-EU summit as early as possible, while a second said there was “a good feeling” that Burnham was now seeking consensus.
The Conservative deputy leader, Alex Burghart, criticised the move, saying: “Labour cannot blame a democratic vote from over a decade ago for the consequences of their own economic decisions.”
What this means for Poles in the UK
For the estimated 700,000 Poles living in the United Kingdom, a potential return to the EU could bring significant changes to rights and freedoms. If Britain were to rejoin, freedom of movement would likely be restored, making it easier for family members to move to the UK without visa restrictions. Polish citizens would regain full rights to work, study and settle anywhere in the country without needing settled or pre-settled status.
However, any move to rejoin would take years to negotiate and implement. The government has only announced a review at this stage, and any promise to rejoin would first need to appear in Labour’s next manifesto and win public support at a general election. Even then, Brussels would need to agree to accession talks, which could be lengthy and complex.
For now, Poles in the UK should maintain their current immigration status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Those who have not yet applied for settled or pre-settled status should do so through the official government website. Nothing will change immediately, and any shift in policy would be announced well in advance with clear guidance on what it means for EU nationals already living in Britain.
