Labour voters push Burnham to put EU rejoin talks in manifesto

Nearly three-quarters of Labour voters want Andy Burnham to include talks to rejoin the European Union in the party’s next manifesto, according to a major new poll released as the prime minister opened the door to returning to the bloc.

The survey by European Movement UK with Observant found Britons would vote by nearly two to one, 57 to 30 per cent, to become part of the EU again in another referendum. A majority of voters for all but one of the major parties backed a manifesto commitment to seek membership. Reform UK was the only party whose voters were against it.

The findings arrive as a leading think tank unveils a roadmap for Britain’s return within the next decade. The report, drawn up by the European Movement and seen by The Independent, is backed by Michael Heseltine, Neil Kinnock and Sir Vince Cable, and is being sent to the prime minister. It aims to get the UK back into the EU by 2036 or earlier and sets out ways past roadblocks such as the euro and Schengen.

Lord Heseltine said: “Ten years on since Brexit, this is how we solve our shared global problems.” Lord Kinnock added: “After 10 years out, 10 years to gain full admission again is sensible. But it could be less because the immovable realities of the continuing damage to our country, of proximity to our largest markets, security needs and political influence could propel stronger awareness of the need for UK membership of the EU on both sides of the Channel. It is essential that, in the meantime, the significance of the unpatriotic anti-European parties is flattened so that they are no longer an impediment to trust and progress.”

The push lands after the prime minister told the Labour conference he would look at options on Brexit. Labour voters are now pressing Burnham hard for a clear rejoin commitment, while the only clear resistance sits with Reform UK supporters who still reject the whole idea.

Original source: The Independent