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Tony Blair urges Burnham to pursue EU rejoin in next decade

Former PM publishes roadmap for EU membership as Labour prime minister faces pressure to include it in party platform.

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What to know

  • Tony Blair publishes a roadmap for EU rejoin over the next decade, pressing PM Burnham to include it in Labour's November 10-year plan.
  • A YouGov megapoll suggests Labour could more than double its seats (from 136 to 321) by pledging to rejoin, uniting progressive voters.
  • Burnham and other senior Labour figures resist the move, citing risks of reopening the Brexit divide, especially in Reform UK strongholds.
  • The party remains publicly divided: Streeting calls Brexit a mistake; Nandy warns against the electoral wisdom of the proposal.

“I called the Brexit vote a catastrophic mistake and said the party should aim to rejoin the bloc.”

Wes Streeting · The Guardian ↗

Tony BlairTony Blair Former Prime MinisterAndy BurnhamAndy Burnham Prime MinisterWes StreetingWes Streeting Defence SecretaryLisa NandyLisa Nandy Culture Secretary

Tony Blair urges Burnham to pursue EU rejoin in next decade
theguardian.com

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

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  1. 1

    Labour divided on EU rejoin strategy

    Defence Secretary Wes Streeting backs rejoining, calling Brexit a "catastrophic mistake," while Prime Minister Burnham says the issue is "for another day" and declines to commit to including it in the next manifesto. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy warns against "reopening the circular arguments."

    “I hope in my lifetime I see this country rejoin the European Union.”
    — Andy Burnham
  2. background

    Blair urges Burnham to include EU rejoin in November 10-year plan — Blair argues in the paper's foreword that Britain should signal intention to negotiate EU membership if conditions are right, pressing Burnham to use his forthcoming 10-year plan announcement as an opportunity to put the issue back on the table.

  3. 2

    Tony Blair Institute publishes EU rejoin roadmap

    The Tony Blair Institute releases a paper titled "A Path to Rejoining a Reformed Europe" calling for Britain to work towards EU membership over the next decade, with requirements including acceptance of free movement of people and financial contributions.

    “Over the next decade, Britain should work towards the ambition of rejoining a significantly reformed EU.”
    — Tony Blair Institute researchers
    1. 2 outlets Tony Blair says Britain should work towards rejoining EU in next 10 years

      first by Guardian, 5h ago · also The Guardian

  4. background

    YouGov poll suggests EU rejoin pledge could boost Labour seats dramatically — A megapoll of over 13,000 people conducted by YouGov for pro-EU group Best for Britain finds that a pledge to rejoin would help unite progressive voters and could increase Labour's projected seat total from 136 to 321, with no boost to Reform UK's support.