Story perspectives

Labour EU rejoin pledge could lift seats to 321

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 10:38 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said a future Labour manifesto could pledge to rejoin the EU.
Former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair urged Burnham to set a public EU-rejoin objective within ten years.
YouGov polling for Best for Britain suggested an EU-membership pledge could raise Labour seats to 321.
Parliament will debate a major EU-re-entry motion on 12 October.

History

Historical Context

The UK joined the European Communities in 1973 and voted to stay in a 1975 referendum (67% remain). After Prime Minister David Cameron fulfilled his 2015 manifesto pledge and held the 23 June 2016 EU referendum, 51.9% voted to leave, producing a 1,269,501-vote majority and prompting his resignation. Labour leader Andy Burnham now pledges to re-join the EU, making Brexit reversal a central issue in upcoming elections.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said a future Labour manifesto could pledge to rejoin the EU.
Former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair urged Burnham to set a public EU-rejoin objective within ten years.
YouGov polling for Best for Britain suggested an EU-membership pledge could raise Labour seats to 321.
Parliament will debate a major EU-re-entry motion on 12 October.

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