Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has warned Prime Minister Andy Burnham that taking the UK back into the European Union without a fresh referendum would be "undemocratic" and "wouldn't be feasible", insisting Britain will not rejoin the bloc.
Speaking to the Express at his London townhouse, the leading Brexiteer said that because the UK could join the EU by Act of Parliament, it could also leave by Act of Parliament, making any such move reversible by a future government.
Rejoining by Act of Parliament
Sir Jacob said: "I think not only would it be undemocratic, but it wouldn't be feasible, because if you can join simply by Act of Parliament, you can leave by Act of Parliament."
Pointing out that Labour "will not be in government forever", he added that a future Conservative or Reform UK government could "leave again".
He said: "I think people like me, Conservatives, people in Reform, would be absolutely clear that if we were to rejoin by Act of Parliament without the consent of the British people, we would not see that as valid."
Voters would stay out
The former Cabinet minister also insisted that voters would opt to stay out if given another say in a fresh referendum, citing immigration, the single currency and the cost of membership.
Sir Jacob said: "Do I think we'll rejoin? No, because when you say to people do you want potentially millions of people coming across from the EU reversing the work that's been done to get immigration under control, they say no."
"When you say to them, do you want to join the single currency, they say no."
"And when you say to them, do you want to give £35billion a year to the EU, they say no."
"So as soon as we get into the debate, people will realise that all the reasons they voted to leave are still true."
Mr Burnham has committed to his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer's red lines not to return to the single market, customs union or free movement during the current parliament. He has not ruled out a pledge to rejoin the EU in Labour's next election manifesto, although he has said voters would be "the boss" of any changes.
Economic warning
Sir Jacob argued that returning to Brussels would "make all our economic problems worse" and that Britain needs to slash red tape.
He said: "The European economies are failing. This is not a club that anybody in their right mind would want to join."
"What we need economically is to deregulate, to get energy prices down, to reverse the increase in regulation in employment that Labour has brought in, and to reform our tax system so we actually welcome people with money."
He also called it "idiotic" to blame Brexit for the small boats crisis after the Prime Minister claimed it has blocked Britain from returning migrants.
Sir Jacob said: "The problem is that Europe cannot secure its borders. If Europe could secure its borders, we wouldn't have people getting into France to get here."
Backdoor rejoin bid
Mr Burnham is expected to unveil a new deal with the EU on food and farming at a joint summit later this month, which would see the UK follow the bloc's rules in those areas, as well as an agreement on emissions trading and a youth mobility scheme.
Sir Jacob branded it "an attempt to rejoin by the backdoor" which "gets us all the disadvantages of the EU without being a member".
The former Tory MP also issued a stark warning over the risk of another five years of Labour amid ongoing speculation that Mr Burnham will call an early general election. The party has enjoyed a poll bounce since he entered 10 Downing Street, with Left-wing voters returning from the Greens.
He said: "Five years of Burnham-style socialism would be catastrophic for this country at the moment."
"What we need is economic growth. What he offers is socialist measures that have failed in the past, which will not lead to growth. Indeed, they'll lead to a further economic decline."
The Conservatives are also showing signs of a recovery, with Kemi Badenoch's party in second place just two points behind Labour in the latest YouGov poll.
Sir Jacob insisted the Tory leader could be the next PM, but warned against writing off Nigel Farage after a difficult period for Reform.
He said: "He is a formidable political campaigner who has a really remarkable connection with voters, so I hold Nigel in high regard and I wouldn't dream of writing him off. What I really want is for Nigel to join the Tory Party."
Sir Jacob has been calling for the Right of British politics to unite, but Mrs Badenoch and Mr Farage have ruled out any pact. He suggested voters could be left to vote tactically as he pointed to recent by-elections in Makerfield and Aberdeen South.
He said: "In Makerfield, the Tories got no votes, all the Tories voted Reform. In Aberdeen South, Reform got 6% of the vote, most Reform supporters voted Conservative."
"You don't always need the party leaders to do deals. Voters aren't pieces on the chessboard to be moved about, they are sentient beings who will make up their own minds."
Sir Jacob narrowly lost the newly created seat of North East Somerset and Hanham at the 2024 general election.
On his political future and whether he will stand for the Tories at the next general election, the father-of-six said: "Well, if anyone will have me, yes. So, I will throw my hat into the ring, and I'll see if it gets thrown back or kept. We shall see."
