Labour Plunged Into Fresh Brexit Infighting as Sadiq Khan Demands EU Rejoin Pledge
Labour has been plunged into fresh internal conflict after London Mayor Sadiq Khan demanded the party backs rejoining the European Union at the next general election. The incendiary call to reverse Brexit comes as Keir Starmer struggles to contain unrest on multiple fronts within the party.
Khan's Bold Call for Full EU Membership
Speaking to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Sir Sadiq insisted the government should rejoin both the customs union and the single market during this Parliament. He suggested that fighting the next election on a ticket of resuming full membership of the bloc would eliminate the need for another referendum.
'I see on a daily basis the damage Brexit has done to not just London, but to Londoners, the damage economically, socially and culturally,' Sir Sadiq declared. 'I'm quite clear in terms of what needs to happen, which is, we should join the European Union.'
The Mayor pointed to the election of Donald Trump, growing global instability, and the passage of time as reasons to revisit the issue, arguing that 'the facts have changed' and 'the evidence has changed.'
'We should, as a Labour Party, fight the next general election with a clear manifesto commitment, a vote for Labour means we would rejoin the European Union. I think it's inevitable,' he asserted.
Immediate Clashes Within Labour Ranks
The comments immediately sparked clashes between Labour MPs, underlining that the party remains deeply divided over Brexit despite years having passed since the 2016 referendum. Sir Keir Starmer - a Europhile who campaigned for a second referendum as shadow Brexit secretary - has repeatedly insisted that the UK will not be going back into either the customs union or single market.
However, earlier this week Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves warned that Britain risked being 'stranded' between rival trading blocs unless it forged closer ties with Brussels. She said any divergence from EU regulations would be limited, describing it as 'the exception, not the norm.'
Ms Reeves added: 'Our fate as a country is inescapably bound with that of Europe.' She admitted yesterday that she still wished the country had voted Remain in 2016.
Government's Firm Stance Against Rejoining
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has been scrambling for a 'reset' with Brussels. By the time of the next joint summit later this year, the UK and EU want to finalise agreements on a youth mobility scheme, as well as establishing a common sanitary and phytosanitary area and on linking their emissions trading systems.
In February, Downing Street dismissed the prospect of rejoining the customs union after European economic commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said the bloc would be open to discussions. No 10 sought to pour cold water on the idea, saying the Government would be sticking to its red lines as it deepens ties with the EU.
The PM's official spokesman stated: 'We will not be rejoining the customs union, the single market or returning to freedom of movement. Those are our red lines as per the Government's manifesto. We do want a closer economic partnership with the EU, but rejoining the customs union would unpick important trade agreements we've reached, including our deals with the US and India.'
The deepening rift within Labour over Europe threatens to undermine Sir Keir's authority as he attempts to present a united front ahead of the next election, with Sadiq Khan's intervention highlighting the persistent divisions that continue to haunt the party over Britain's relationship with the European Union.
