Thornberry brands Brexit a disaster and bins another referendum

Labour’s Emily Thornberry, Lady Nugee, has called Brexit a disaster and said the country ought to get back into the European Union, telling viewers there is no need for another referendum. Speaking on The Cathy Newman Show, she argued most people think rejoining is the way forward and hoped the policy would appear in the next Labour manifesto so voters could choose at a general election instead.

Darren Grimes highlighted the remarks on X, noting her line that Leavers should get over it and that another referendum should simply not be bothered with. He pointed to the 17.4 million votes cast for Leave, votes she now treats as settled against by manifesto wording rather than a fresh public vote on the same question.

Thornberry said a democratic decision was still needed, yet insisted the route should be a general election choice between the current relationship and full return to the EU if that became Labour policy. She repeated that a second referendum was unnecessary. The clip leaves little doubt: the 2016 result is framed as a mistake to be reversed through party platform, not put back to the country on its own terms.

For millions who voted to leave, the message is blunt. Sovereignty reclaimed at the ballot box is recast as a disaster to be undone by the next Labour offering. Grimes underlined the gap between that tone and the scale of the Leave vote, and the ease with which a senior Labour figure sets aside the idea of asking the public again on the specific question of membership.

Britain voted to take back control of its laws, borders and money. Thornberry’s answer is to fold the issue into a manifesto and move on. That is the choice she is putting on the table: accept the current settlement or vote Labour to reopen the door to Brussels, without a dedicated referendum. The Leave majority is treated as something to get over, not something a major party must still respect in full.

The remarks keep the pressure on Labour’s direction. Voters who backed Brexit will hear a clear signal that rejoining remains live for parts of the party, packaged as manifesto democracy while the separate referendum route is waved away.

Lady Nugee of Labour has spoken.

Brexit was "a disaster". Leavers should "get over it". And asking you? "Let's not bother with another referendum."

17.4 m votes, binned by a woman who's never had to get over anything in her life other than an irrational fear of England’s flag. pic.twitter.com/DpJk32WLuh

— Darren Grimes (@darrengrimes) October 12, 2026

Original source: Darren Grimes (@darrengrimes)