Megapoll Shows Nearly Half of UK Voters Back Andy Burnham on Rejoining the European Union
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that his government could propose rejoining the European Union after the next election, breaking a long-standing political taboo, theguardian.com reported. A new megapoll by the Messina Group found that 49% of voters support rejoining the EU, while 28.5% oppose it, giving a potential seven-point boost to Labour’s vote share if a fresh referendum were held. Burnham, who became premier in July after Labour MPs removed Keir Starmer, told his party’s annual conference that the 2020 departure did “more harm than good.”
French President Emmanuel Macron responded in English with “Welcome back,” while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that Spain would open its arms to a brotherly people if the UK asks to rejoin, dawn.com reported. Meanwhile, Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice claimed Burnham was trying to sneak the country back into Brussels via the back door.
Messina Group Survey Tests Seven EU Relationship Options and Voter Mandates
Only 27.9% supported moving further away from the EU, compared with 41.2% against that approach.
The polling also indicated that 52.4% of participants thought leaving the EU had been wrong, while 29.7% believed it was right. A total of 54.9% rated Brexit a failure, compared with 12.2% who called it a success. Ben Judah, a visiting fellow at Chatham House and former adviser to David Lammy, told the Guardian that these results are a “massive validation” of Burnham’s boldness.
Cabinet Ministers Urge Caution Amid Fears of Reviving Political Divisions
Despite the polling data, cabinet ministers concerned about reopening Brexit divides are privately urging Burnham to proceed with caution, theguardian.com reported.
Right-wing figures seized on the shift as a point of political vulnerability. Tory deputy leader Alex Burghart accused the prime minister of looking backwards, and Reform UK figures argued the move would fracture the country. Nigel Farage stated that Burnham had given him the biggest boost of his career by reviving the debate, while Downing Street officials expressed concern that a renegotiation push could inadvertently revive Nigel Farage’s political fortunes.
Internal tension exists as two-thirds of the cabinet, including Chancellor John Healey, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, and First Secretary Louise Haigh, represent Brexit-voting seats.
Frequently Asked Questions About the UK Government’s EU Review
What did Andy Burnham say about the 2016 Brexit vote?
Burnham stated during the Labour conference that Britain’s departure in 2020 had done more harm than good and triggered a decade of low growth. This reversed his previous stance in May when he stated he respected the 2016 referendum result. On May 18, he had specifically said he was not proposing the UK consider rejoining the EU, as failing to respect the vote would undermine his views on strengthening democracy.
How did international leaders react to the prime minister’s announcement?
French President Emmanuel Macron declared “Welcome back” in English during a news conference in Madrid, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that Spain would applaud a British request to rejoin, dawn.com reported. Macron added that such a move would be “very good news” for both Europeans and the UK.
What were the exact figures from the Messina Group megapoll on rejoining?
The poll found that 49% supported rejoining the European Union while 28.5% opposed it. A total of 25.9% wanted to rejoin immediately, 22.9% wanted it to happen within three years, and 8.4% within the next decade.
Which political figures criticized the potential policy shift?
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice claimed the government was trying to sneak the UK back into Brussels via the back door, and Tory deputy leader Alex Burghart accused the prime minister of looking backwards, dawn.com reported.
The Path to Rejoining
Burnham told BBC Radio that the government could consider a customs union, as suggested by George Osborne, or the single market, as proposed by Liberal Democrats, noting the government could “go all the way.” This represents a departure from the 2024 manifesto that barred the single market, freedom of movement, and a customs union. When asked if a future manifesto could include an in-out referendum, Burnham replied, “yes, things are possible.”
Worth a look