Brexit may be back, but Britain still needs to decide what it wants from its relationship with Europe. A decade after the referendum unleashed deep identity politics, the wounds remain raw. Recent remarks by former health secretary Wes Streeting, who called Brexit a "catastrophic mistake" and advocated for a return to the EU, have reignited debate. This reflects both the enduring divide between remain and leave tribes and tactical maneuvering in the Labour leadership contest to succeed Keir Starmer.
Leadership contest and Brexit positioning
Streeting's main rival, Andy Burnham, is also a Remainer but must win a by-election in a heavily leave-voting constituency. Burnham has since tempered his EU enthusiasm, while Streeting aims to force him to promise not to reverse Brexit, angering the nearly 90% of Labour members who want rejoining. This internal wrangling is familiar to European observers, but the stakes are higher now due to genuine interest in closer UK-EU ties.
Starmer's reset: baby steps so far
Since his election, Starmer has promised a "reset" of relations, "unprecedented market access," and a Britain "at the heart of Europe." However, achievements remain modest. The UK will rejoin Erasmus+, but a youth mobility scheme is stalled over tuition fee disputes. Integration into Europe's electricity market is blocked by London's refusal to pay into EU cohesion funds. Britain has also been shut out of the EU's SAFE defence procurement fund due to reluctance to "pay to play." London hopes to secure deals on food, carbon trading, and youth mobility by summer, but these will not fix what Starmer now admits is the "deep economic damage" of Brexit.
Economic and geopolitical realities
The economic cost is widely accepted: the National Bureau of Economic Research estimates a 6-8% GDP hit, with UK-EU trade down 15%. Public opinion reflects this, with YouGov polling showing 63% of Britons want closer ties and 55% want to rejoin. Support for rejoining exceeds 50% in many EU countries. Geopolitics amplify the case: Russia's war in Ukraine, US threats to NATO territory, and a shaken transatlantic alliance have made stronger UK-EU ties desirable for European leaders too. Finland's Alexander Stubb called Brexit "like amputating a leg without medical reason," while Hungary's new PM Péter Magyar hopes Britain will return. French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Britain would be met "with open arms" if it rejoined the single market.
The price of rapprochement
Barrot's full phrase, however, included "with all associated privileges and duties." This highlights the core issue: Labour's manifesto red lines—no customs union, single market, free movement, or EU membership—prevent any rapprochement that would meaningfully boost the economy. As Poland's foreign minister Radosław Sikorski noted, every option on the menu has a price in sovereignty and rule-taking. Britain, he argues, still has not "internalised the fundamental European deal: you get more benefits in return for more pooling of some aspects of sovereignty." European doubts must be lifted before serious steps can be taken. Brussels has made clear that Britain would be welcomed back, but only on the same terms as any new member: no opt-outs, no rebate, no à la carte deal. Tough negotiations on free movement, Schengen, the budget, and the euro would follow—but only after Britain decides what it wants and what it will pay. An open, honest debate on benefits and trade-offs is needed, but with Nigel Farage and half the media crying "Betrayal!" that seems unlikely soon.
