UK Prime Minister Burnham Signals Britain May Consider Rejoining EU After Next Election, Ten Years After Brexit Vote

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham signalled Britain should examine options for its long-term relationship with Europe, including closer economic integration and possibly returning to the European Union, according to Brussels Morning, Tax Research UK and multiple outlets reporting on October 1, 2026. Burnham, who became Prime Minister on July 20, 2026, said in his Labour Party conference speech that possibilities could range from closer economic arrangements to participation in the single market or customs union and potentially eventual EU membership, marking the first time a sitting prime minister has openly discussed rejoining since Britain left the bloc. Former prime minister Tony Blair called for the UK to make rejoining a reformed EU a long-term objective, with his institute publishing a report on September 28 advocating that ambition over the next decade. A June 2026 YouGov poll found 55 percent of Britons supported rejoining compared with 34 percent opposed.

Any return would require Britain to apply under Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, and the UK would not be guaranteed the opt-outs and special arrangements of its former membership, including exemptions from the euro and Schengen area. No formal process to restore EU membership has been launched and no referendum has been announced, leaving uncertain whether Burnham will make EU membership a manifesto commitment for the next general election and how Brussels would respond to a formal application.

Sources

Brussels Morning, "UK Rejoining EU Debate Gains Powerful Momentum as Brexit Questions Return," October 1, 2026, brusselsmorning.com Tax Research UK, "Should we rejoin the European Union?," October 1, 2026, taxresearch.org.uk Euro Weekly News, "UK could rejoin the EU just 10 years after Brexit as major reversal is proposed," September 28, 2026, euroweeklynews.com Diplomacy and Law, "Can the UK Rejoin the EU? Article 49 TEU, the Referendum Question and the Terms Britain Would Face," October 1, 2026, diplomacyandlaw.com UK Parliament Petition 749128, "Apply to Rejoin the EU as soon as possible to increase growth in the UK," debate scheduled October 12, 2026, petition.parliament.uk