Sadiq Khan Urges Labour to Campaign for UK Rejoining EU
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has publicly called for the Labour Party to campaign for the United Kingdom to rejoin the European Union, marking a significant political intervention just days after Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered one of the most pro-European speeches since Brexit.
Clear Call for Rejoining Campaign
In an interview with Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Khan argued that Labour should move beyond discussions about mere access to the single market or joining the customs union by 2030. Instead, he advocated for a full campaign focused on returning to the economic bloc, expressing confidence that British voters would support Labour with this position.
"I'm quite clear. On the ballot paper of the next General Election is a vote for Labour, a vote to rejoin the European Union," Khan stated emphatically. "We should be unequivocal about the benefits of the European Union because we've now seen the alternative. I think it's inevitable."
Economic and Geopolitical Justifications
The Mayor cited two primary factors driving his position:
- President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs on both allies and adversaries, creating substantial economic uncertainty that was not anticipated during the last general election
- America's involvement with Israel in conflict with Iran, generating additional economic instability affecting oil prices and living costs
"The evidence has changed, which is why this parliament, we should rejoin the Customs Union and Single Market," Khan explained, emphasizing that "our fate is intertwined with Europe."
Bemoaning Brexit's Impact on London
Khan expressed deep concern about Brexit's economic consequences for London, stating that the effects "break my heart." He specifically highlighted:
- Reduced numbers of EU citizens living and working in London
- Significant struggles across hospitality and construction industries
- Broader social and cultural impacts beyond just economic damage
"As a consequence, we've suffered economically, in construction, hospitality, but also we've suffered socially and culturally," the Mayor lamented.
Alignment with Labour Figures
Khan revealed that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer "knows my views" on rejoining the EU, though he acknowledged not raising the issue directly with the Prime Minister due to being "busy being mayor."
His arguments align closely with positions recently articulated by Rachel Reeves, who used her Mais Lecture to advocate for closer UK-EU economic ties. Reeves warned that Britain risked being "stranded between powerful trading blocs as globalisation retreats" and emphasized that "no trade deal with any individual nation can outweigh the importance of our relationship to a bloc with which we share a land border."
Internal Government Discussions
Reports indicate that Number 10 economics adviser Minouche Shafik has pushed for the government to rejoin the customs union, though other officials have been more cautious about committing to full rejoining. This internal debate suggests growing momentum within certain political circles for reconsidering Britain's post-Brexit relationship with Europe.
Khan's bold call represents the most direct appeal yet from a senior Labour figure for the party to explicitly campaign on rejoining the European Union, potentially reshaping the political landscape ahead of the next general election.
