Brexit’s Ghosts Haunt Labour’s Leadership Contest

The recent call by Wes Streeting, former health secretary and now Labour leadership contender, to rejoin the EU has reopened old wounds in the party. His assertion that leaving the EU was a “catastrophic mistake” echoes the sentiments of many who opposed Brexit from the start. However, his proposal to build a new “special relationship” with the Union raises more questions than answers.

Streeting’s stance is not surprising given Labour’s long-standing ambivalence towards Brexit. During the 2016 referendum campaign, the party’s leadership was divided on the issue, with some advocating for Remain and others for Leave. Since then, Labour has struggled to find a clear position on Brexit, often seeming to speak out of both sides of its mouth.

The party’s internal divisions are particularly evident in the leadership contest between Streeting and Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor who is also vying for the top spot. Burnham had been expected to drop his call to reverse Brexit, a move that reflects Labour’s growing recognition that its stance on Brexit is no longer a decisive issue for voters.

The polls suggest that Britons are increasingly divided on their views of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his government. However, they have also made it clear that Labour needs to offer more than just a return to the EU. The party’s poor showing in recent local elections has only added to the sense of urgency around this issue.

Labour’s internal debate is being played out against the backdrop of the country’s economic woes. High inflation and stagnant wages demand a more nuanced response from the party, rather than simply rejoining the EU or reversing Brexit. Labour needs to offer a clear vision for how it will address these challenges, rather than relying on divisive debates about the past.

Lisa Nandy, culture secretary and a key figure in the party’s pro-Remain camp, has cautioned against reopening the Brexit wars. “Reopening old debates,” she noted, “would be a mistake.” Instead, Labour should focus on repairing the damage caused by the poor Brexit deal rather than rehashing old arguments.

This pragmatic approach is long overdue in Labour’s leadership contest. The party needs to move beyond its internal divisions and offer a clear, credible vision for Britain’s future – one that does not rely on simplistic solutions or nostalgia for the past.

As the country grapples with the consequences of Brexit, Labour has an opportunity to show leadership on this issue. Rather than rehashing old debates or relying on tired platitudes, the party should focus on building a new consensus around its values and policies. This will require a more nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding Brexit and a willingness to engage with voters who may have different perspectives on the issue.

In the end, Labour’s leadership contest is not just about who will succeed Sir Keir Starmer as leader – it is also about what kind of party Labour wants to be in the years ahead. Will it continue to be mired in internal divisions and divisive debates, or will it rise above these petty squabbles and offer a clear, credible vision for Britain’s future?