Politics · United Kingdom · 2 hrs ago
Rachel Reeves says the UK’s future should be inside the EU
Former UK chancellor Rachel Reeves says the country’s future should be inside the EU.
She argues that Brexit has made the UK “poorer, weaker and less secure.”
Reeves welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s call for an honest discussion about the UK’s future relationship with Europe.
Labour’s 2024 election manifesto ruled out rejoining the EU, restoring free movement or joining the single market or customs union.
Reeves says supporters of rejoining must show its practical benefits, while Burnham says fundamental changes should be decided by voters and left to the next parliament.
At a UK-EU summit next month, Reeves hopes for progress on a youth mobility scheme and UK access to the EU’s SAFE defence programme.
Those talks could deepen cooperation on travel and defence, but any major change to the relationship would require a public mandate, according to Burnham.
Former UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she believes the UK’s future lies inside the European Union.
She said Brexit has made the country “poorer, weaker and less secure”.
Reeves welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s leadership in opening debate about the UK’s future relationship with Europe.
She urged supporters of rejoining the EU to show its tangible benefits and set out the next steps.
Reeves said she hoped an upcoming UK-EU summit would confirm a youth mobility scheme and advance UK entry into the EU’s Security Action for Europe scheme.
- Who
- Rachel Reeves, the former UK chancellor, and Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
- What
- Reeves said she believes the UK’s future lies inside the EU and called for debate about the relationship.
- When
- Reeves made the remarks in an article published on 1 November 2026; the UK-EU summit is due next month.
- Where
- In an article for the Sunday Times.
- Why
- Reeves said Brexit had made the UK poorer, weaker and less secure, and called on supporters of rejoining to make their case.
Labour supporters of closer EU ties
Conservatives and Reform UK
Brexit debate
Labour supporters of closer EU ties
Reeves said the UK’s future lies in the EU and welcomed discussion of the relationship.
Conservatives and Reform UK
The Conservatives said there was no desire to rerun the Brexit debate; Nigel Farage said there was no mandate for closer EU ties.
Rejoining conditions
Labour supporters of closer EU ties
Reeves said supporters must show tangible benefits and get the next steps right.
Conservatives and Reform UK
Labour’s 2024 manifesto ruled out returning to free movement, single market membership or a customs union.
Labour’s manifesto ruled out returning to free movement, single market membership or a customs union.
The UK and EU agreed a defence pact that paved the way for UK-based defence companies to join projects funded by SAFE.
Reeves argued in the Sunday Times that the UK’s future lies inside the EU.
Burnham plans to pursue agreements on food and drink, emissions trading and a youth mobility scheme at a UK-EU summit.
- Speaker
- Rachel Reeves, former UK chancellor
- Prime minister
- Andy Burnham
- Publication
- Sunday Times
- Defence scheme
- Security Action for Europe (SAFE)
- Summit plans
- Youth mobility scheme, food and drink, and emissions trading
3 sources
What people are saying
Brexit has made us poorer, weaker and less secure.
I do believe Britain's future lies in the European Union.
I welcome Andy Burnham’s leadership in facing up to this.