Will Labour’s Leadership Hopefuls Reverse Brexit?

The Labour Party is once again embroiled in a bitter dispute over Brexit, a familiar pattern that has plagued the party since the 2016 referendum. The latest salvo comes from Wes Streeting, who announced his candidacy for the top job and declared that Britain should aim to rejoin the EU. His call for a “new special relationship” with Brussels is not new, but it puts pressure on other contenders to clarify their positions.

Andy Burnham, a leading contender to replace Sir Keir Starmer if there’s a contest, finds himself in an awkward spot after Streeting’s remarks. Burnham’s allies downplayed his commitment to rejoining the EU when asked about it in a recent interview, emphasizing that he wants to become Prime Minister but first needs to win a seat in Parliament in a crucial by-election in Makerfield, which voted overwhelmingly to leave the EU in 2016.

Burnham’s reluctance to prioritize Europe is likely driven by electoral pragmatism rather than a genuine shift in his views. In contrast, Angela Rayner has taken a more pragmatic approach, rejecting revisiting Brexit but acknowledging that the government needs to address the challenges caused by the UK’s departure from the EU. Her focus on the practical implications of Brexit is welcome, but it doesn’t go far enough in acknowledging the party’s past mistakes.

The Labour Party’s failure to provide a clear and compelling vision for Britain’s relationship with Europe has been a major weakness since the 2016 referendum. The party’s leadership hopefuls would do well to reflect on their past mistakes rather than simply rehashing old arguments. Streeting’s call for rejoining the EU is a start, but it’s not enough to paper over the cracks within the party.

Labour’s struggles with Brexit have been well-documented, and its failure to provide a clear alternative has allowed Conservative politicians to occupy the centre ground on this issue. If Labour can’t come up with a coherent and compelling vision for Britain’s relationship with Europe, it risks being stuck in a perpetual cycle of arguing over whether we’re “in or out.”

The Brexit wars within Labour are unlikely to subside anytime soon as the party’s leadership contenders continue to jockey for position. Their views on Brexit will have a direct impact on Labour’s chances in the next general election.

History suggests that when it comes to Brexit, Labour’s leaders often find themselves trapped between their pro-EU instincts and electoral pragmatism. This has led to confusion, contradictions, and ultimately, defeat. The party needs to break free from this cycle of self-doubt and provide a clear and compelling vision for Britain’s relationship with Europe.

As the party’s leadership contenders continue to slug it out over their stance on rejoining the EU, voters will be watching closely to see if they can come up with a convincing narrative that addresses the UK’s economic and social challenges post-Brexit. Will Labour’s leadership hopefuls finally find a way to break free from the Brexit wars? Or will they continue to squabble over whether we’re “in or out”? Only time will tell.