Labour's renewed infighting over Brexit has deepened after heavy local election losses to Reform UK, with Independent readers divided on how leadership contenders should handle Britain's relationship with Europe. Wes Streeting's call for eventual EU rejoining drew both praise and criticism, while Andy Burnham's cautious stance also split opinion.
Supporters of Streeting praised him for calling Brexit a 'catastrophic mistake' and argued Labour should stop avoiding the issue. Many readers said Brexit damaged growth, trade and global standing, backing Streeting's view that the UK's future lies 'back in' Europe. Critics accused him of reopening divisions and warned his stance would alienate Leave voters and boost Reform UK.
Burnham's more cautious position attracted criticism from some who accused him of watering down his previously pro-European views for political convenience. One reader said: 'Burnham dropping his call to reverse Brexit is a grave mistake. Neither Brexiteer nor Remainer voters will respect a candidate who acts like a weathervane.' Another added: 'Even Andy Burnham recognises that vowing to rejoin the EU political union is a losing strategy.'
Others backed Burnham's attempt to avoid 'going big on Europe' while contesting a by-election in the pro-Leave seat of Makerfield, arguing Labour must respect the 2016 referendum result. One reader noted that 148 Labour-held constituencies voted Leave and only 84 voted Remain, adding that in Wigan, which includes Makerfield, 65 per cent voted to leave.
Several readers highlighted the complexity of rejoining, noting there is no 'bespoke deal' and the UK would have to meet all terms and conditions as a new candidate. One said: 'Brexit was a binary choice for an extremely complex situation... It would be an 'all or nothing' policy for any party. Can Labour afford the high-risk stakes?' Another concluded: 'We were grossly misled by the 2016 Brexit campaigners, who failed to advise voters of the potential negative consequences.'
