Tony Blair urges Andy Burnham to put UK return to reformed EU in 10-year plan

The Blair Institute proposal

Former British prime minister Tony Blair has called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to make returning to a reformed European Union a central component of the government's upcoming 10-year strategy. In a policy paper titled "A Path to Rejoining a Reformed Europe" published by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, Blair advocated abandoning the Brexit red lines established in Labour's 2024 election manifesto. The paper outlines a phased approach over the next decade, arguing that Britain should accept the free movement of people and provide financial contributions as conditions for re-entry. Blair also recommended establishing immediate joint initiatives with European partners, including an energy hub in the North Sea, collaborative work on artificial intelligence, and participation in the EU Security Action for Europe arms loan programme. Blair defined the conditions under which the United Kingdom should seek formal reintegration with the bloc.

We should be clear that we want back into a formal relationship with the EU. But it must be a Europe on a credible path to reform, a Europe of nation states, a Europe capable of being a genuine global power.

Government reactions and internal Labour division

The proposal lands as Burnham prepares to publish his 10-year plan in November 2026, following his entry into 10 Downing Street in July. Speaking to reporters while travelling to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, Burnham declined to rule out including a commitment to rejoin the EU in Labour's next general election manifesto. While Burnham had previously expressed a long-term desire to see Britain re-enter the bloc, he noted that near-term policy adjustments remain separate from immediate manifesto pledges. Within the cabinet, senior figures maintain contrasting positions regarding the political timing of revisiting the 2016 referendum. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting previously described the decision to leave the EU as a catastrophic mistake and publicly endorsed re-entry into the bloc. Conversely, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy cautioned against reviving past constitutional disputes, warning against reopening circular arguments across the country.

Britain should signal an intention if the terms are right to enter into a structured formal relationship with Europe and initiate a process of negotiation where everything is on the table but nothing agreed until everything is agreed.

Economic losses and electoral considerations

Proponents of closer European ties point to recent assessments outlining the commercial costs incurred since Britain's departure. A study by the Institute for Public Policy Research calculated that the absence of a mutual recognition agreement with the EU costs the British economy £6.5 billion annually. In addition, research conducted by Logistics UK determined that overall export losses attributable to Brexit total £11.7 billion per year.

Electoral calculations also influence the debate among party strategists. A polling study by YouGov, conducted for the campaign group Best for Britain, indicated that pledging to rejoin the European Union could more than double Labour's seat total in a future election. However, other party officials express concern that shifting policy toward Europe could alienate voters in constituencies where Reform UK and the Conservatives compete actively.