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Hot issue: EU

Should Britain get closer to the EU, or even rejoin?

On 30 September the Prime Minister said Brexit had done 'more harm than good' and that options up to rejoining are on the table. Labour's 2024 red lines (no single market, customs union or free movement) still stand. An EU summit is expected in November.

55%of voters said they would vote to rejoin the EU if a referendum were held (Survation, June 2026)
Give your answerFree. No account needed. Then see how Britain split.

The options

  1. Stay out and stop drifting back

    Keep the Brexit deal as it is, avoid new EU rules and use our freedom to make our own trade deals and laws.

    Backed by: ConservativesReform UK

    Pick this option in the game
  2. Closest to what the government is doing now

    Closer deals, but keep the red lines

    Agree deals on food trade, energy and a youth visa scheme, but no single market, customs union or free movement.

    Backed by: Labour

    Pick this option in the game

  3. Join a customs union with the EU

    No tariffs or customs checks on goods with Europe, but Britain could no longer set its own tariffs in trade deals elsewhere.

    Backed by: Liberal Democrats

    Pick this option in the game

  4. Join the single market and customs union

    Full free trade in goods and services, which means free movement of people and following EU rules without voting on them.

    Backed by: Liberal Democrats

    Pick this option in the game

  5. Rejoin the EU

    Apply to become a full member again, with a vote on EU laws, likely after a referendum or an election promise.

    Backed by: GreensSNPPlaid Cymru

    Pick this option in the game

What happens next

  1. If Britain stays on the current Brexit deal

    The OBR assumes UK productivity ends up about 4% lower in the long run than if it had stayed in, with trade around 15% lower.

    The Office for Budget Responsibility
  2. If the UK agrees food, energy and youth deals

    Checks on food and farm goods ease and some trade friction falls, but the UK follows EU rules in those areas without a vote on them.

    Supporters of the reset argue the first; critics stress the second
  3. If the UK joins a customs union

    Goods cross with fewer checks and supply chains get simpler, but the UK can no longer set its own tariffs or sign its own goods deals, such as with the US.

    Trade economists
  4. If the UK joins the single market

    Services, about half of UK exports, gain full access too, but free movement returns and the UK follows EU rules and pays into EU budgets, as Norway does.

    Trade experts note
  5. If the UK applies to rejoin

    Every member state must agree. New members normally commit to adopting the euro in time, and the old UK rebate would not return. Before Brexit the UK paid in about £9bn a year net.

    EU treaty rules; HM Treasury figures
  6. If the question is reopened at all

    Supporters see growth and influence. Opponents warn of years of division and a vote that could split the country again, as 2016 did.

    Both sides argue

The arguments

The case for getting closer

  • The EU buys around 40% of UK exports. Cutting friction with our biggest, nearest market is the quickest growth boost on offer.
  • Brexit has added cost and paperwork, and many small firms have stopped selling to Europe altogether.
  • In a world of tariffs and big trading blocs, supporters say the UK has more clout working with Europe than alone.
  • Polls now show a majority would vote to rejoin, so supporters say leaders should at least set out the options.

The case for staying out

  • The 2016 vote should be respected. Going back would divide the country again and undermine trust in democracy.
  • Outside the EU, the UK sets its own trade policy, laws and immigration rules, and has joined the Asia-Pacific CPTPP trade bloc.
  • Rejoining would likely mean worse terms than before: no rebate, pressure to join the euro and rules made without the UK.
  • Some argue trade friction fades as firms adapt and deals elsewhere grow, so the long-run cost is overstated.

The trade-offs

Questions to ask yourself

Sources

  1. ajbell.co.uk /news/articles/uk-prime-minister-burnham-reopens-debate-rejoining-eu
  2. euronews.com /2026/10/02/andy-burnham-is-rethinking-the-uks-ties-with-the-eu-what…
  3. expressandstar.com /uk-news/burnham-pressed-to-rejoin-eu-after-promising-to-set-out-opt…
  4. libdems.org.uk /press/release/ed-davey-speech-negotiate-a-uk-eu-customs-union-to-tu…
  5. libdems.org.uk /press/release/ed-davey-challenges-burnham-to-vote-for-single-market…

Facts as of October 2026. Party positions reflect each party's current stated policy and may change.

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