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Tony Blair says Britain should work towards rejoining EU in next 10 years
theguardian.com • • world
Key Points:
- Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has urged Labour leader Andy Burnham to include a plan to rejoin the EU in the party’s next decade-long strategy, arguing the UK should seek membership again if terms are favorable.
- Blair’s Tony Blair Institute published a paper advocating for the UK to accept free movement and financial contributions as conditions for re-entry, aiming to negotiate a reformed relationship with the EU.
- While some Labour figures like Defence Secretary Wes Streeting support rejoining the EU, Burnham remains cautious, not ruling out a future pledge but avoiding commitment in the near term.
- Polling by YouGov for pro-EU group Best for Britain suggests Labour could significantly increase its parliamentary seats by promising to rejoin the EU, potentially uniting progressive voters without boosting Reform UK’s support.
- The TBI paper recommends revising government red lines against free movement and single market membership, proposing a flexible approach to EU rules that benefit the UK economically or strategically.
