Title: Sir John Curtice: Why Labour's Brexit focus has shifted from Leavers to Remainers

During her Mais lecture on Tuesday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves declared that "Brexit did deep damage," a statement that underscores a significant evolution in the Labour Party’s stance—one that ministers have been hinting at for some time. Reeves addressed European partners directly, asserting that the current government views a deeper relationship as beneficial for all of Europe, while simultaneously clarifying that the administration does not intend to "turn back the clock" on the Brexit process. This overt acknowledgment of Brexit’s negative impacts reflects a growing conviction among the government: to reverse the UK’s persistently weak economic performance, it must pursue a more ambitious "reset" of post-Brexit ties with the EU.

Labour’s 2024 election manifesto had previously outlined a specific approach to renegotiating the Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) originally negotiated by Boris Johnson. The plan focused on eliminating EU customs checks for British food and agricultural exports by harmonizing UK regulations with those of the EU. However, the manifesto established firm red lines: there would be no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement, and rejoining the EU was never suggested. This cautious position was largely a reaction to the party’s decisive defeat in the 2019 election. Following that loss, Labour conceded the result of the leave decision and voted in favor of Johnson’s TCA.

However, the party’s rhetoric has since hardened. In the autumn, shortly after the Budget, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated that Brexit had "significantly hurt our economy" and emphasized the need for Britain to "keep moving towards a close relationship with the EU." While the manifesto’s red lines remained officially intact, Starmer’s comments indicated a realization that overcoming economic stagnation required a more proactive strategy regarding the EU reset.

Some cabinet members appear willing to push these boundaries even further. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, speaking at a literary festival in October, remarked that he was glad Brexit was now a problem "whose name we now dare speak," suggesting that being outside the EU hinders the economic growth the government has pledged to deliver. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy echoed this sentiment in a podcast, describing it as "self-evident" that Brexit had harmed the economy and pointing to the economic advantages Turkey has gained through its customs agreement with the EU.

Pressure within Labour to reconsider its Brexit policy is also evident from external figures. On Wednesday, London Mayor Sadiq Khan urged the UK to rejoin the EU single market and customs union ahead of the next general election, with the intention of campaigning on a promise to fully rejoin the EU.

In contrast to these calls, Reeves reaffirmed on Tuesday that the manifesto red lines remain in place. Nevertheless, her Mais lecture signaled a distinct shift in direction. She indicated that the government intends to align UK regulations with the EU in additional sectors wherever it serves Britain’s interests. Reeves argued that such alignment is crucial to achieving the economic growth promised during the 2024 campaign, which has so far remained elusive.

Current economic data shows modest improvement: the economy expanded by 1.3% in 2025, up from 1.1% in 2024, though this falls short of the official 1.5% forecast. These developments carry political weight beyond mere economics. The question remains whether pursuing a closer EU tie risks alienating Brexit-supporting voters and causing electoral disaster, or if the political landscape has fundamentally changed, making a shift in Brexit policy the sensible path for Labour.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-03-20 00:01:51 UTC