Senior Labour backbencher Stella Creasy has urged her party to include a clear pledge in its next general election manifesto to begin negotiations on the United Kingdom potentially rejoining the European Union. Speaking at a recent fringe event, Creasy, who chairs the Labour Movement for Europe, emphasized the need for democratic consent to explore what re-entry into the EU would entail.

Creasy criticized the circumstances surrounding the UK’s departure from the EU, stating that the country left without a full understanding of the consequences. She argued that any future discussion about rejoining must be based on an open and thorough examination of the issues involved.

To facilitate such a conversation, Creasy called on the party leadership to abandon existing red lines, which she said currently hinder meaningful engagement with European partners. She highlighted a range of interconnected challenges that the UK and EU face, including social division, economic uncertainty, and national security concerns.

In her remarks, Creasy stressed that all aspects of the relationship should be considered in negotiations, explicitly mentioning the single market, customs union, and freedom of movement for goods, people, and services. She suggested that only by being willing to examine every element can the UK have a serious and productive dialogue with the EU.

Her comments come amid ongoing debates within the Labour Party about its post-Brexit policy direction and how to address the complexities of the UK’s future relationship with Europe. While some in the party support a firm commitment to rejoining or deepening ties with the EU, others remain cautious about committing to such a significant shift ahead of the next general election.

Creasy’s call reflects a broader desire among some Labour figures to clarify the party’s position in order to offer voters a definitive stance on Europe, contrasting with what they view as the uncertainty that characterized the UK’s original departure. The prospect of negotiating re-entry would, she indicated, require a mandate from the British electorate to proceed with open discussions on the topic.