Title: Sir John Curtice: Labour’s Brexit Pivot Moves Focus from Leavers to Remainers

During her Mais lecture on Tuesday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered a stark assessment of the post-Brexit era, declaring, "Brexit did deep damage." This statement underscores a significant evolution within the Labour Party, a shift that government ministers have been hinting at for some time. Reeves addressed European partners directly, stating, "Let me say this directly to our friends and allies in Europe. This government believes a deeper relationship is in the interest of the whole of Europe." Simultaneously, she clarified that the administration is not attempting to reverse Brexit entirely.

This overt discussion of Brexit’s negative impacts reflects a strategic belief: to combat the UK’s stubbornly slow economic growth, the government must pursue a more ambitious "reset" of its post-Brexit ties with the EU. Labour’s 2024 election manifesto had previously outlined plans to renegotiate the Trade and Co-operation Agreement negotiated by Boris Johnson in 2020. Specifically, the party aimed to eliminate EU customs checks on British food and agricultural exports by harmonizing British regulations with those of the EU. However, the manifesto established firm red lines: no rejoining the single market, no returning to the customs union, and no restoration of freedom of movement. There was no mention whatsoever of rejoining the EU.

This cautious stance was largely a reaction to the party’s crushing defeat in the 2019 general election. Following that loss, Labour accepted the outcome of the Brexit referendum and voted in favor of Johnson’s deal. Yet, the party’s rhetoric has been evolving. Shortly after the autumn Budget, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer asserted that "Brexit had significantly hurt our economy" and argued that Britain must "keep moving towards a close relationship with the EU." While the manifesto’s red lines appeared to remain in place, Starmer’s comments suggested that reversing the nation’s economic struggles required a more proactive approach to resetting relations.

Some ministers have gone even further in their criticism. In October, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, speaking at a literary festival, expressed relief that "Brexit is a problem whose name we now dare speak," implying that being outside the EU hinders the delivery of promised economic growth. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy similarly described in a podcast the self-evident economic damage caused by Brexit, citing the benefits Turkey has gained from its own customs agreement with the EU.

Further evidence of internal pressure to rethink Brexit policy emerged on Wednesday, when London Mayor Sadiq Khan urged the UK to rejoin the EU customs union and single market before the next election, with the ultimate goal of campaigning for full EU membership. In contrast, Reeves reaffirmed on Tuesday that Labour’s manifesto red lines remain unchanged. However, her Mais lecture clearly indicated a shift in direction. She proposed that the government should align UK regulations with those of the EU in additional areas wherever it serves Britain’s interests. Reeves suggested that such alignment is crucial for achieving the economic growth promised during the 2024 campaign, which has thus far largely eluded the government.

Current economic data shows growth of 1.3% in 2025, an improvement over the 1.1% recorded in 2024, though it falls short of the official forecast of 1.5%. These policy adjustments carry political weight as well. The question arises whether seeking closer EU ties risks alienating Brexit-supporting voters and causing electoral disaster, or if the political landscape has shifted enough to make a new approach on Brexit strategically sensible for Labour.

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