Will Labour’s leadership hopefuls reverse Brexit? What Burnham and Streeting have said about rejoining the EU
Labour is facing internal divisions over Brexit following Wes Streeting's call for the UK to rejoin the European Union, which he described as a 'catastrophic mistake.' Lisa Nandy criticized Streeting for reopening Brexit debates, while Andy Burnham faces pressure to clarify his stance ahead of a potential leadership contest. The debate comes after Labour's recent electoral losses to the pro-Brexit Reform UK Party.
- ▪Wes Streeting called for the UK to rejoin the EU, calling Brexit a 'catastrophic mistake' that has weakened the country economically and politically.
- ▪Lisa Nandy accused Streeting of re-opening the 'Brexit wars' within the Labour Party.
- ▪Andy Burnham, a leading contender for Labour leadership, has not yet clarified his position on rejoining the EU, as he prepares for a crucial by-election in a Leave-voting constituency.
- ▪Streeting emphasized that rejoining the EU could only happen with a new democratic mandate, such as after a general election.
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NewsUKUK PoliticsWill Labour’s leadership hopefuls reverse Brexit? What Burnham and Streeting have said about rejoining the EUA row has erupted between Labour over the UK’s relationship with the European Union Kate Devlin Whitehall Editor Sunday 17 May 2026 12:16 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2978131","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/burnham-streeting-brexit-eu-labour-leadership-b2978131.html","title":"Will Labour’s leadership hopefuls reverse Brexit?"}}Nandy accuses Streeting of re-opening Brexit wars and…
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