Wes Streeting’s public call to treat Brexit as a mistake and seek a new path toward the European Union has intensified rivalries within Labour and turned attention to the Makerfield by-election.
The Labour Party finds itself refocused on one of the most contentious issues of recent British politics after Wes Streeting used a major public appearance to label Brexit a “catastrophic mistake” and to say that Britain’s future lies with Europe and that the country should one day rejoin the European Union.
His remarks, delivered as he confirmed he would enter any potential leadership contest, have forced a renewed debate over how the party should balance electoral caution with long-term strategic choices. Streeting framed his position as an economic and geopolitical argument, arguing for a closer post-Brexit relationship that could only change via a fresh democratic mandate.
Streeting’s intervention and the EU argument
In stepping forward to contest the leadership, Streeting attacked what he called Labour’s previous “overcautiousness” on Europe and set out a vision of a new, closer alignment with the European Union. He described a future in which the UK rebuilds ties and pursues a “new special relationship” with the bloc, while acknowledging that any formal move to rejoin would require electoral consent.
By putting Brexit at the core of his pitch, Streeting has chosen a politically charged pathway: one that appeals to some urban and pro‑European voters but risks alienating Leave‑leaning communities. His language and timing have prompted immediate criticism from opponents who say Labour should be concentrating on bread‑and‑butter issues like the cost of living and public services.
Andy Burnham, Makerfield and leadership dynamics
Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor who is seeking the Labour nomination for the Makerfield by‑election, faces heightened scrutiny because both he and Streeting have previously signalled openness to rejoining the European Union long term. Burnham, who must return to Westminster as an MP to be eligible to stand in a leadership contest under Labour rules, has emphasised that any change of status with the EU would need a clear public mandate. He has also tried to keep the by‑election campaign focused on local economic renewal and public services rather than a national referendum on membership of the bloc, mindful that Makerfield recorded roughly 65% Leave support in the 2016 referendum.
Makerfield specifics and the electoral challenge
The by‑election in Makerfield—reported to be likely on 18 June—is being watched as a barometer of Labour’s standing in former industrial areas. With Reform UK making gains in recent local contests, party strategists worry about the appeal of anti‑establishment messages. Burnham has said he will not campaign explicitly for rejoining the EU in the by‑election, arguing the contest should be about jobs, housing and public services. But opponents and media outlets are already poised to spotlight previous pro‑rejoin statements, while Labour insiders debate whether a decisive victory in Makerfield could accelerate a leadership transition.
Party reaction and the risk of a rushed coronation
The entry of Streeting into the leadership conversation has sharpened tensions over how Labour should choose its next leader. Some senior figures warn against any “coronation”—a leadership elevation without a proper vote of party members—pointing to historical examples where a lack of contest undermined authority. Streeting himself has argued for a full, fair contest so the eventual leader will possess legitimacy across the parliamentary party and membership. Others, meanwhile, suggest that a commanding win for Burnham in Makerfield could build momentum for a swift transition, though colleagues caution that a timetable announced prematurely might distract from immediate electoral battles.
Opposition reactions and wider political fallout
Outside Labour, responses were immediate and pointed. Conservative spokespeople accused the party of “re‑litigating Brexit” at a time when government business should be the priority, while Reform UK’s leaders promised to use EU‑related comments to energise Leave‑minded voters in northern constituencies. Prominent figures warned that a clear push toward European reintegration would become a focal point in campaigns, with opponents arguing it could cost Labour support in communities that backed Leave in 2016. The interplay between leadership ambitions, local contests, and national strategy now looks set to define the coming weeks.
What to watch next
Key developments to monitor include the formal trigger and timing of any Labour leadership contest, the outcome of the Makerfield by‑election on 18 June if it proceeds as expected, and whether Labour’s internal bodies set rules or timetables for a transition. Streeting’s stance has reopened a debate that Sir Keir Starmer had approached cautiously, and the party must weigh electoral pragmatism against long‑term positioning on Europe. Whichever path Labour chooses, the episode demonstrates that Brexit remains a live dividing line in British politics, with leadership choices likely to reflect how the party intends to navigate it.
