Farage claims Labour's EU stance fuels push for Reform Party
Nigel Farage warned that Labour leader Keir Burnham's talk of re-joining the EU clashes with his devolution agenda, saying it opens a door for Reform.
Ahead of a Doncaster address, Nigel Farage accused Labour leader Keir Burnham of contradicting his own devolution promises by entertaining a return to the EU single market, customs union and even full membership. Farage said such proposals would hand massive powers to a supranational body, leaving Parliament powerless, and called the stance a "massive political mistake." He suggested voters might reconsider once they understand the costs involved.
Farage also claimed Burnham’s approach could inadvertently widen Reform’s support across the north of England. The prime minister, speaking at Labour’s conference in Liverpool, pledged to present options for the country's relationship with Brussels after a forthcoming UK-EU summit, without ruling out a manifesto pledge to re-join the bloc.
Why it matters
The clash highlights how EU policy debates could reshape party dynamics and voter alignments in the UK.
How this story developed
- Sep 23 Tony Blair think-tank urges Britain to set a decade-long EU re-entry goal
- Sep 27 Chancellor John Healey will announce a £115 million investment in a new research vessel and three floating docks, framing shipbuilding as the core of a “new age of industrialisation” at the Labour conference.
- Sep 28 A £100 million apprenticeship fund was added to the industrial plan.
- Sep 29 The think‑tank published a report outlining a ten‑year goal for the United Kingdom to re‑join a reformed EU.
- Sep 29 In his opening speech at the Labour conference, Andy Burnham described Brexit as detrimental and opened the discussion on closer ties with the EU, potentially even re-entry. The Prime Minister later confirmed that a range of relationship options will be presented and that a consensus will be sought. Downing Street did not rule out that re-joining the bloc could be among those options. Experts note that any reversal would face lengthy negotiations and possibly a referendum.
- Sep 30 The Prime Minister now says re‑joining the EU is among the options the government will consider.
- Sep 30 Burnham signaled that full EU membership is among the possible routes Labour could evaluate.
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