Pro-EU campaigners protested outside parliament in January 2024, marking the fourth anniversary of the UK leaving the EU. Few expected that, a decade after the Brexit referendum and barely six years after exit, the UK would be discussing rejoining.
Streeting's Vision
Former health secretary and potential Labour leadership contender Wes Streeting claimed Keir Starmer's government needed a new special relationship with the EU, suggesting one day the best answer is to be back in the EU. Here are the options if he were PM.
Full-Fat EU Membership
This moonshot is challenging. While a referendum is not legally required, it would be politically desirable, with many believing support must exceed 60%, possibly 70%, to cement a return. The EU would likely require gold-plated security against future wobbles. Political energy on accession is huge, and member states may prefer focusing on Ukraine and Moldova. A Best for Britain survey showed over 80% of Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green voters support full return, but only 53% of all voters agree. Even with a huge majority, technical talks would be intense, starting with unstitching the withdrawal agreement covering Northern Ireland, citizens' rights, and the divorce bill.
Swiss-Style Halfway House
Switzerland, not an EU member, struck a deal for frictionless single market access, plus participation in electricity markets, space programmes, Erasmus, Digital Europe, and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. In exchange, it accepted free movement and pays €375m (£326m) annually into EU funds. The EU offered the UK a similar deal, rejected by Boris Johnson due to regulatory alignment and free movement requirements.
Norway-Style Halfway House
The UK could rejoin the single market via the European Economic Area (EEA), previously rejected by Starmer. Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland (considering EU membership after Trump's Greenland threats) are EEA members. To join, the UK must first negotiate European Free Trade Association (EFTA) membership and accept free movement.
Status Quo Reset
This continues Starmer's bit-by-bit alignment with the EU, seen as politically expedient two years ago. The UK remains nervous about public reception, especially as a youth mobility scheme is cast as immigration with caps under 50,000 per year. Critics say the deal will have little economic impact or repair Brexit damage.
New Ideas
The Swiss deal shows Brussels tires of constant agreement maintenance but remains open to imaginative, flexible ideas. The UK could explore novel arrangements beyond existing models.
