London, 3 October, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Britain EU membership debate has returned to the centre of British politics after a major new poll found 49% of voters support returning to the European Union, while Prime Minister Andy Burnham considers options for the country’s long-term relationship with Brussels.
Major poll puts EU membership back in focus
The Messina Group survey questioned 11,461 people between 12 and 24 September and found 49% supported Britain returning to the EU, compared with 28.5% who opposed the idea. It also found 54.9% regarded Brexit as a failure.
The results add to evidence of changing public attitudes towards Britain’s relationship with Europe. However, support for closer relations with Brussels should not automatically be interpreted as support for every aspect of full EU membership.
Options ranging from closer trade arrangements to participation in the single market or customs union could produce different levels of public support.
Burnham puts Britain’s European future on agenda
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has brought the issue into mainstream government discussion by arguing that Britain should examine different options for its future European relationship.
Burnham said Brexit had done “more harm than good” and indicated that the government would consider a range of possibilities, including potentially returning to the European Union.
No decision to apply for membership has been announced, and the government has not scheduled another referendum.
The development nevertheless represents a notable change in the political conversation surrounding Britain EU membership, which successive governments largely treated as settled following the country’s formal departure from the bloc.
Brussels responds to Britain’s changing debate
European leaders are also watching developments closely.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez have welcomed the prospect of Britain developing a closer relationship with the European Union following Burnham’s comments.
However, any attempt to return would require negotiations between London, Brussels and EU member states.
Britain formally left the European Union on 31 January 2020 after the 2016 referendum, when 51.9% voted to leave and 48.1% voted to remain.
Rejoining would therefore involve a new political and diplomatic process rather than simply reversing Brexit.
Why renewed EU membership matters
A serious Britain EU membership discussion could have significant implications for trade, investment, migration and Britain’s regulatory relationship with its European neighbours.
Questions would also arise over access to the single market, customs arrangements, freedom of movement, financial contributions and the conditions EU governments might seek during any future accession negotiations.
For Brussels, Britain’s changing political debate is particularly significant because the UK remains a major European economy and an important defence and security partner.
What happens next?
Attention will now focus on the government’s preparations for the next UK-EU summit and the options it presents for Britain’s future relationship with the bloc.
Burnham has indicated that different approaches will be considered, but no formal application to rejoin the European Union has been announced.
The latest polling therefore does not mean Brexit is about to be reversed. It does, however, show that Britain EU membership has returned as a significant question in British politics, with the country’s relationship with Brussels once again becoming a central national debate.
