Full Breakdown
Former Brexit Architect Urges UK to Re-evaluate EU Membership
4/24/2026, 10:59:41 PM
Rycroft Calls for EU Re-assessment
Philip Rycroft, former permanent secretary of the Department for Exiting the European Union, said Britain should undertake a clear-headed appraisal of what is in the country’s best interests regarding re-joining the EU. He warned the road back would be long and windy and said the argument is there to be won.
Unmet Brexit Promises
Rycroft noted that most economic analysis suggests a significant hit to GDP after leaving the single market, and that the UK has not secured broad immigration consent. He said it is not hard to see why people may be falling out of love with Brexit.
Key Figures
The debate involves Rycroft; Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who rejects crossing the “red lines” on the single market or customs union; European affairs minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, who says there is no appetite for renewed EU talks; and Best for Britain, the campaign group that commissioned the poll.
Public Sentiment
The Best for Britain-commissioned YouGov poll shows 53 % favour re-joining the EU, 32 % oppose and 14 % are undecided. Rycroft said the precise impact on export performance to the EU and beyond remains uncertain.
Official Statements
Thomas-Symonds reiterated that there is no appetite for renewed EU membership debates and ruled out any customs-union-style deal, adding that even a bespoke version, similar to agreements the bloc has with Turkey and Norway, is off the cards. Starmer has likewise said Labour will not breach the red lines on the single market or customs union.
Criticism & Opposition
Rycroft and senior officials urge a policy review before the next election, but the cabinet’s refusal to consider a customs-union-style arrangement signals internal resistance to deeper EU integration.
Conflicting Reports
Sources disagree on the exact GDP loss, and the poll’s commissioning by a campaign group raises neutrality concerns; no independent government data on post-Brexit export performance is cited.
Verbatim Quotes
- “clear-headed appraisal of what is in the country’s best interests” — Philip Rycroft
- “long and windy” — Philip Rycroft
- “Most economic analysis suggests that we have taken a significant hit to GDP as a result of leaving the single market,” — Philip Rycroft
- “there is no appetite” to return to the debates of the past over EU membership. — Nick Thomas-Symonds
What’s Next
Rycroft’s call has spurred a review of EU relations ahead of the election. The government’s stance against a customs union or single-market re-entry means any shift will need extensive political negotiation and public backing.
