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

Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered a stark assessment of the UK’s post-Brexit reality during her Mais lecture on Tuesday, stating unequivocally that "Brexit did deep damage." This declaration highlights a significant evolution within the Labour Party, a shift in tone that government officials have been hinting at for some time.

Addressing European partners directly, Reeves affirmed that the current administration believes a closer partnership serves the interests of all Europe. However, she simultaneously clarified that the government has no intention of "turning back the clock" on the Brexit process. This overt discussion of Brexit’s negative impacts underscores a strategic pivot: as the government strives to revitalize the nation’s sluggish economy, it is adopting a more ambitious approach to "resetting" the UK’s relationship with the EU.

Labour’s 2024 election manifesto had previously outlined a specific path, proposing limited renegotiations of the Trade and Co-operation Agreement established by Boris Johnson in 2020. The primary goal was to eliminate EU customs checks on food and agricultural exports by harmonizing British regulations with EU standards. Despite this, the manifesto drew firm boundaries: there would be no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement. The prospect of full EU rejoining was not even mentioned. This cautious stance was a direct consequence of the party’s crushing defeat in the 2019 general election. Following that loss, Labour formally accepted the decision to leave the EU and voted in favor of Johnson’s deal.

However, the party’s rhetoric has since hardened. Shortly after the Budget last autumn, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer asserted that Brexit had "significantly hurt our economy" and emphasized the necessity of moving toward a closer EU relationship. While ostensibly maintaining the manifesto’s red lines, his comments suggested an internal realization that more aggressive measures might be required to rescue the ailing economy.

Some ministers have gone even further. In October, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, speaking at a literary festival, expressed relief that Brexit could now be openly discussed as a problem, suggesting that being outside the EU hinders the delivery of promised economic growth. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy echoed this sentiment in a podcast, calling it "self-evident" that Brexit damaged the economy and pointing to the economic advantages Turkey has gained through its customs agreement with the EU.

Pressure to rethink Brexit policy is also evident within the party’s ranks. On Wednesday, London Mayor Sadiq Khan urged the UK to rejoin the EU customs union and single market before the next election, with the aim of campaigning for full EU membership at that ballot.

In contrast, Reeves reaffirmed on Tuesday that Labour’s manifesto red lines remain intact. Yet, her Mais lecture signaled a clear change in direction. She indicated a willingness to align UK regulations with the EU in additional areas where it benefits Britain, identifying such alignment as crucial to achieving the economic growth promised in the 2024 campaign but so far elusive. Economic data reflects this slow progress: the economy grew by 1.3% in 2025, an improvement over the 1.1% growth seen in 2024, though still falling short of official forecasts of 1.5%.

These developments carry political weight beyond economics. The pursuit of a closer EU tie raises questions about potential electoral risks, particularly regarding alienation of pro-Brexit voters. Alternatively, it suggests that the political landscape has fundamentally shifted, making a change in Brexit strategy politically viable for Labour.

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