In a significant intervention, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has declared that his "ultimate goal" is for the United Kingdom to rejoin the European Union, stating he believes this will happen within his lifetime. The Labour politician made these remarks during an interview with the Observer, stepping up his longstanding campaign to reverse Brexit six years after the UK's withdrawal from the bloc.
Khan Urges Starmer to Show More Ambition on EU Relations
Sir Sadiq Khan has called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to demonstrate greater ambition in rebuilding links with the European Union. While acknowledging Labour's current "reset" of EU relations, Khan emphasised that more could be achieved given changing geopolitical circumstances. "I think we can negotiate more now, because of how geopolitics has changed, than we could in 2016 or 2019," Khan stated. "Europe needs us and we need Europe."
Labour's Brexit Reset Strategy
The Mayor's comments come as Sir Keir Starmer attempts to ramp up his government's efforts to reset relations with the European Union. Last week, the Prime Minister confirmed Labour was working to negotiate new arrangements with the EU, including on food and agriculture, while also indicating a desire for closer defence ties. However, Starmer has maintained the government's "clear red lines in relation to the single market and the customs union" remain firmly in place.
Days after Starmer's comments, European Commissioner for Finance Valdis Dombrovskis told the BBC that Brussels was "ready to engage" if the Prime Minister wished to explore the possibility of working together on a customs union arrangement. This opening from Brussels has reignited debate about the UK's future relationship with Europe.
Khan's Personal Brexit Journey
The former Tooting MP has been consistent in his pro-European stance, having campaigned to remain in the EU during the 2016 referendum. Two years later, he called for a second referendum based on what he described as a "bad deal" being negotiated with the EU. Two years ago, Khan declared it was "obvious that Brexit isn't working," urgently calling for a closer relationship with Europe after a Cambridge Econometrics study estimated Brexit had cost the UK £140 billion.
"I want us to be part of a customs union," Khan emphasised in his interview. "I'm an advocate for us being part of a single market."
Customs Union Debate Intensifies
Supporters of a customs union between the UK and EU argue it would significantly reduce bureaucracy and costs related to trade with European nations. However, critics have raised concerns that such an arrangement would curtail Britain's ability to strike bespoke global trade deals independently.
In December, Cabinet Minister Pat McFadden shut down Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy after he suggested rejoining the customs union could increase economic growth and repeatedly refused to rule out reversing Brexit. McFadden stated that Sir Keir had been "pretty clear" that the UK would not be rejoining the customs union, highlighting internal tensions within the Labour government on this issue.
Brexit Set to Dominate Next Election
The issue of Brexit is poised to become a key battleground in the next general election. After Sir Keir outlined his plans to bring the UK into closer alignment with the EU, Labour believes it is the only political party with a position on Brexit that reflects the views of the general public. Khan's intervention adds significant weight to the ongoing debate about Britain's future relationship with Europe, ensuring Brexit will remain at the forefront of political discourse as the country approaches another electoral contest.
Despite Labour's election manifesto ruling out signing up to the existing EU customs union, Khan's persistent advocacy for rejoining both the customs union and single market indicates that the debate about Britain's European future is far from settled within the governing party.
