London Mayor Advocates Labour's EU Rejoining Stance for Next Election

London Mayor Sadiq Khan is pushing Labour to take a bolder stance on the UK's relationship with the European Union, calling for the party to commit to rejoining the EU customs union and single market in its next general election manifesto.

In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Khan argued that Labour should not only express support for closer ties with the EU, but make a clear pledge to pursue full membership if elected. This would mark a significant shift from the party's current position, which has ruled out rejoining the customs union or single market despite acknowledging the economic damage caused by Brexit.

Khan's comments come as Labour and other pro-European parties have been cautious about openly advocating for the UK to rejoin the EU, mindful of the political sensitivities around the issue. Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has previously stated that he does not believe the UK will rejoin the EU during his lifetime.

{{IMAGE_PLACEHOLDER}} Khan believes, however, that the party should be bolder in its vision, arguing that Labour should make a manifesto pledge to rejoin the customs union and single market if elected. This, he contends, would provide clarity to voters and demonstrate Labour's commitment to rebuilding the UK's economic and diplomatic ties with its European neighbors.

The mayor's intervention is likely to reignite the debate within Labour about the party's EU policy, with some MPs likely to welcome Khan's call for a more pro-active stance, while others may be more cautious about the political risks involved. The next general election, expected in 2024, will be a crucial test of where the party stands on this issue.

{{IMAGE_PLACEHOLDER}} Khan's comments also come at a time when the UK's relationship with the EU remains fraught, with ongoing tensions over issues such as the Northern Ireland protocol and the broader trade agreement. The Labour party has sought to position itself as a constructive voice, advocating for a closer partnership with the EU while stopping short of calling for full rejoining.

Whether Khan's intervention will shift the party's stance remains to be seen, but his intervention is a clear sign that the debate over the UK's European policy is far from settled, even years after the original Brexit vote.