On Saturday 16 May 2026, Wes Streeting delivered a speech at the Progress think tank conference in central London. This occurred two days after his resignation as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on Thursday 14 May 2026. Streeting announced his intention to stand in any Labour leadership contest, stating: 'We need a proper contest with the best candidates on the field, and I'll be standing.'

What did Wes Streeting say about rejoining the EU?

During his Progress speech, Streeting explicitly called for the United Kingdom to rejoin the European Union. He described leaving the EU as 'a catastrophic mistake'. Streeting asserted: 'Britain's future lies with Europe. and one day back in the European Union.' His proposal involves a new 'special relationship' with the EU, aiming to rebuild the economy, trade, and improve defence 'against the shared threats from Russian aggression and America First'.

Streeting indicated that any move to rejoin the EU would require a fresh electoral mandate. This would be sought via Labour's next manifesto under his leadership. He warned that Labour risks becoming 'the handmaidens of Nigel Farage and the breakup of the United Kingdom' if it does not change its current course on this issue.

Does Andy Burnham also support EU rejoin?

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester and another leading Labour leadership contender, has also addressed the question of UK European Union membership. He told ITV News that 'in the long-term, there is a case for that.' Burnham, like Streeting, has publicly acknowledged that any move for the United Kingdom to rejoin the European Union would necessitate a fresh electoral mandate. He clarified to ITV News that he was not advocating immediate rejoining in the context of the Makerfield by-election.

Both viable Labour leadership contenders now hold a long-term position supporting UK rejoining the EU. This shift sets a clear battle line against parties anchored in post-Brexit policy. More background on Andy Burnham's political trajectory and related discussions can be found here: Andy Burnham Premiership: Why Reform UK Should Be Scared.

How did Reform UK respond to Labour's EU position?

Reform UK's response to the Labour leadership challengers' rejoin positions was immediate and strong. Nigel Farage tweeted: 'We look forward to the Makerfield by-election. Reform will throw absolutely everything at it.' Farage also told The Telegraph that Andy Burnham 'would be a disaster for the economy and betray every Brexit voter.' He used the explicit framing: 'Open borders Burnham must be stopped.'

Reform UK's 2024 general election manifesto, 'Our Contract with You', is built on the conclusion that Brexit was the correct decision. It advocates for post-Brexit policy to consolidate exit gains, not reverse them. This forms a direct opposition to the long-term rejoin stance expressed by Streeting and Burnham.

What does the Makerfield by-election show?

The Makerfield by-election has become a key battleground. In the 7 May 2026 local elections, Reform UK won every council ward in the Makerfield constituency. They secured approximately 50 per cent of the vote. Labour, in comparison, took approximately 25 per cent. This result in a Labour target seat demonstrates Reform UK's electoral strength in a constituency Burnham is reportedly seeking to stand in.

The Makerfield by-election has become a single-constituency proxy contest. It previews the Brexit-redo dynamic that could define the 2029 general election.

What does this mean for UK households?

The Labour leadership contest is now structurally a Brexit referendum. Both leading contenders for Keir Starmer's succession advocate for the UK rejoining the European Union in the long-term, subject to a fresh electoral mandate. Reform UK's foundational pitch is directly anti-rejoin, consolidating Brexit. This means the 2029 general election is shaping up to be a redo of the Brexit debate.

Households should understand that the economic and social policies proposed by each party will now be filtered through this core Brexit position. The political landscape has aligned to give Reform UK the fight it sought.