Tony Blair Urges UK to Rejoin European Union

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has called for the United Kingdom to work toward rejoining the European Union within the next decade. In a report titled "Beyond Leave and Remain: A Path to Rejoining a Reformed Europe," the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change urges the government to scrap existing red lines regarding the single market, customs union, and free movement of people.

Blair argues that the UK should seek a structured formal relationship with the bloc, provided the EU undergoes reforms to become a global superpower capable of challenging the United States and China. The proposal recommends establishing a UK-EU industrial council and rejoining the SAFE defence fund. Euan Blair, CEO of Multiverse, supported the initiative, stating that both the UK and the EU were better off when the UK was a member.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has avoided committing to a rejoin pledge for the next manifesto, describing the issue as a question for another day, though he has not ruled out the possibility. Within the Labour government, reactions are split; Defence Secretary Wes Streeting supports rejoining, while Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy warns against reopening divisive arguments from the 2016 referendum.

Conservative shadow minister Mike Wood criticized the proposal, accusing Labour of attempting to turn back the clock rather than focusing on future proposals.