Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has renewed calls for the United Kingdom to pursue rejoining the European Union, advocating for a “modern relationship” with Europe that reflects the geopolitical realities of 2026. In a foreword to a new report from the Tony Blair Institute, Blair emphasized the need to move beyond the Brexit referendum debates of 2016 and consider a reengagement with a reformed EU, contingent on favorable terms and formal negotiations.

Blair’s position has sparked debate about the fundamental nature of the EU and its role in global affairs. Critics argue that the European Union, despite its considerable collective wealth and regulatory reach, remains an entity that struggles to exert decisive power on the world stage. They contend that the EU’s structure—a union of 27 member states with significant sovereignty concerns—limits its ability to act cohesively, particularly compared to nation-states like the United States, China, India, and others which dominate global influence.

Opponents of rejoining argue the EU’s ambition of “ever closer union,” seen by many Brexit supporters as a threat to national sovereignty, remains unchanged and unaltered by Brexit. They suggest that revisiting the question of rejoining so soon after leaving in 2020 risks reopening political divisions and distracting from more immediate challenges. In particular, some caution this focus on EU membership could inadvertently fuel nationalist movements within the UK’s constituent nations, such as Scotland and Wales, where leaders of the SNP, Plaid Cymru, and Sinn Féin have recently reaffirmed their support for independence and closer ties with the EU.

The debate also highlights broader questions about Europe’s place in global security and diplomacy. While Blair and his institute stress the importance of a Europe capable of “genuine global power,” critics note that Europe’s efforts to build a unified security posture, including proposals for a European army, have faced internal divisions and lack the sharp focus seen in alliances such as NATO. With ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine posing a critical security threat, some analysts emphasize that collective defense through NATO remains paramount, whereas EU diplomatic initiatives are viewed as less effective.

The report backing Blair’s call suggests that there are ways to foster renewed cooperation between Britain and Europe beyond the Brexit referendum’s binary choice. However, debate remains over whether rejoining the EU is a viable or prudent path forward, given the persistent tensions over sovereignty, political unity within the UK, and Europe’s capacity to project power in a rapidly changing international environment. The discussion comes as British political leaders prepare to engage with these issues in upcoming forums, with implications for domestic political cohesion and the country’s international strategy.