A significant debate has reignited within the Labour party regarding Britain's relationship with the European Union, following former health secretary Wes Streeting's outspoken calls for the UK to rejoin the bloc. Streeting, who recently resigned from the cabinet, has also publicly urged Keir Starmer to step down as leader and declared his intention to stand in any subsequent leadership contest. Speaking in London and later at the Labour Party's Progress conference, Streeting unequivocally stated that leaving the European Union was a "catastrophic mistake." He elaborated, saying Brexit has left the UK "less wealthy, less powerful and less in control than at any point before the industrial revolution." He further emphasized his conviction that "Britain's future lies with Europe – and one day back in the European Union," advocating for a new special relationship with the EU.

However, Streeting's comments have drawn swift criticism from within his own party. UK culture secretary Lisa Nandy dismissed his calls as "odd," arguing that they risked reopening a debate that was settled by the Brexit referendum a decade ago. While Nandy conceded that she, too, campaigned for Remain and believes Brexit was a mistake that has caused "needless damage" to people's living standards, she insisted on focusing on pragmatic solutions to repair the current poor Brexit deal rather than engaging in "circular arguments." She affirmed that Prime Minister Keir Starmer was correct in ruling out rejoining the EU.

The issue is now poised to feature prominently in the upcoming Makerfield byelection and the anticipated Labour leadership contest. Greater Manchester's Labour mayor, Andy Burnham, who intends to challenge Starmer for the party leadership, stated that while there is a long-term case for rejoining the EU, it would not be a focus of his current campaign. Instead, Burnham emphasized a domestic focus on "the here and now and the issues that are affecting people." Josh Simons, the Labour MP vacating the Makerfield seat for Burnham, suggested that nationalisation of utilities, such as energy, water, and social housing, could be a key part of his ally's pitch to voters, attributing their high costs partly to privatisation.

Amidst this internal turmoil, allies of Keir Starmer maintain that the prime minister has not given up hope of remaining in office and will enter any leadership race that is called. Starmer faces increasing pressure following recent heavy losses for Labour and significant gains for the Reform UK party in local elections. The 2016 Brexit referendum, spearheaded by figures like former Conservative prime minister Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage, led to the UK's departure from the EU. The debate around rejoining has gained renewed traction as the UK seeks to forge closer ties with Europe amidst uncertainty surrounding its relationship with US President Donald Trump, further highlighting the deep divisions within British politics on this defining issue.