Wes Streeting has called for the UK to rejoin the European Union, calling Brexit 'a catastrophic mistake', after resigning as health secretary to challenge Keir Starmer. The article highlights mounting public anger, including weekend protests in the capital, amid high inflation, high taxes and weak growth. Experts warn that Britain’s institutions remain intact but are poorly governed and in urgent need of decisive leadership.
Wes Streeting Urges Britain To Rejoin The EU, Calls Brexit 'A Catastrophic Mistake'
A chart showing FDI to the UK since the brexit vote.
Wes Streeting, a leading contender to become Britain’s next prime minister, has urged the UK to seek re-entry into the European Union and described Brexit as 'a catastrophic mistake'. He resigned as health secretary last week to mount a leadership challenge to Labour leader Keir Starmer following poor election results.
Context
The UK is confronting deep, systemic problems: inflation and taxes remain high while economic growth is weak. Public frustration has been mounting and was visible over the weekend when protests disrupted parts of the capital.
'Britain used to be the international gold standard of good governance: now it risks being the laughing stock,' a leading historian warned.
The Financial Times' chief UK political commentator argued that the country is not ungovernable; rather, it is very badly governed and in urgent need of clear leadership. Streeting's public call to rejoin the EU will intensify debate within Labour and across the political spectrum about the country's economic direction and constitutional choices.
What Happens Next: Any move to rejoin the EU would be politically complex and would likely spark vigorous public and parliamentary debate. Streeting's position marks a significant moment in the contest for Labour leadership and in the broader national conversation about Britain's future relationship with Europe.
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