Labour Divided After Streeting Remarks on Brexit

The Brexit debate is once again returning to British politics following comments by former health secretary Wes Streeting, who described the UK’s departure from the European Union as a “catastrophic mistake” and said the country could “one day” return to the bloc.

Streeting made the remarks during a speech that many observers viewed as the start of a campaign for the Labour leadership. His comments also caused concern among Labour MPs who fear a renewed political conflict over Brexit.

Critics within the party said Streeting was unnecessarily reviving an issue that many voters had already moved beyond. Labour MP Jonathan Hinder said he would not support a leadership candidate who placed a return to the EU at the center of a campaign.

The remarks were also seized upon by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of trying to “bring Britain back to the European institutions”. He said the upcoming by-election in Makerfield could become another battleground in the Brexit debate.

Prime Minister Starmer has meanwhile distanced himself from any return to the European Union and has repeatedly said he remains focused on governing.

(reuters, bak)