Rachel Reeves, the former chancellor, said the United Kingdom’s long-term future is best served by returning to the European Union, arguing that Brexit had made Britain “poorer, weaker and less secure.” In a public intervention she framed as her first major statement since leaving the Treasury, Reeves voiced support for Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s stance on Brexit and urged a clear case for re-engagement with Europe.
Reeves made clear that those who want the UK to seek a path back towards EU membership face a political imperative: they must construct compelling, understandable arguments that resonate with voters. She emphasised that reversing Brexit would require persuading the public that membership delivers tangible economic, security and diplomatic benefits.
Rejoining the EU, Reeves said, should not be approached as a purely ideological project but as a practical policy choice grounded in national interest. By describing the post-Brexit period as one of diminished prosperity and security, she sought to reframe the debate around measurable outcomes rather than abstract values.
Her remarks add a prominent voice to an increasingly visible internal conversation within the Labour movement about the party’s approach to Europe. By aligning herself with Burnham on Brexit, Reeves has signalled backing for figures in the party who advocate for a more pro-European direction, while also underscoring the strategic challenge of winning public support for that shift.