Britain’s long-running Brexit battles are stirring once again. The Labour government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is preparing legislation aimed at moving the UK closer to the European Union, signaling a fresh chapter in post-Brexit relations.
Since winning the July 2024 election that ended 14 years of Conservative rule, Starmer has prioritized repairing Britain’s relationship with the 27-member EU. He hopes that deeper collaboration with European neighbours can breathe life into a sluggish economy and reinvigorate a premiership that has faced public skepticism.
The proposed bill will provide a legal framework for what Starmer calls a “reset” with the EU. While Labour holds a strong parliamentary majority, opposition is expected from the Conservatives and hard-right Reform UK, whose leader, Nigel Farage, has long championed strict Euroscepticism.
“Bring it on,” a UK government official told AFP, acknowledging likely claims of a “Brexit betrayal” from critics. However, the move also risks sparking debate within Labour, particularly around manifesto promises not to rejoin the EU customs union.
Last year, Starmer negotiated an economic agreement with EU leaders to boost trade, easing red tape on food and plant exports, and agreed to explore a new electricity deal aimed at lowering energy costs. The new bill, not yet published, will outline how the UK will align with certain EU rules and define Parliament’s role in the process. The legislation is expected in spring or summer, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum.
The legacy of Brexit remains contentious. Three years of bitter parliamentary disputes over the UK’s EU relationship led to Theresa May’s resignation, and Boris Johnson ultimately forced through Brexit after his 2019 election victory. Today, opinion polls show that many Britons regret leaving the EU, a sentiment Starmer hopes to leverage.
“Labour members are almost wholly united in wanting to see some of the damage done by the Tory-Farage Brexit exposed and fixed,” said a supportive Labour MP. “Closer alignment helps our economic message, has the backing of members and most MPs, and will provide a boost to British business.”
Not all within Labour agree. Some MPs favor moving further toward a customs union with the EU, while others caution against reopening a divisive debate. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has expressed support for closer ties, but Starmer insists he wants alignment with the EU single market, not full customs union membership.
A UK government spokesperson said the reset is expected to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and security ties and could add £9.0 billion (RM48.9 billion) to the UK economy by 2040.
For many Britons, the news is more than politics—it’s about the country’s future direction. Families, businesses, and communities have felt the real impact of Brexit, from rising costs to trade delays. Starmer’s move is being watched closely, as it may redefine Britain’s place in Europe while trying to heal divisions at home.
