The Huffington Post
Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham. Wes Streeting vowed that the UK will one day rejoin the European Union as Labour Brexit splits burst into the open again. The former health secretary, who quit the cabinet last week in protest at Keir Starmer’s leadership, said the decision to quit the EU had been a “catastrophic mistake”. He told an event run by the centre-left thing-tank Progress: “The biggest economic opportunity we have is on our doorstep. “We need a new special relationship with the EU, because Britain’s future lies with Europe – and one day back in the European Union.” His comments are potentially awkward for Andy Burnham , who he could face in a battle for the Labour leadership within weeks. Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has said in the past that he wants to rejoin the EU. However, he is set to be Labour’s candidate in the upcoming by-election in Makerfield, where the majority of voters backed Brexit in the 2016 referendum. Asked by ITV on Saturday whether he was still in favour of rejoining the EU, Burnham dodged the question. He said: “I’ve said in the long term there is a case for that, but I’m not advocating that in this by-election. “In fact, what I am saying is focus now domestically, Britain has got to focus very much on the here and now and the issues that are affecting people.” Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: “Whilst Labour relitigate Brexit, Britain is not being governed. “This is yet another distraction from the day job at a time when families and businesses want the Government focused on the cost of living, the economy, public services and Britain’s defence.” Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey meanwhile said Mr Streeting must “offer something more than the same failed red lines as Keir Starmer” if he is to succeed the Prime Minister, and called for negotiations on a customs union with the EU to be opened. Starmer has said he wants to see much closer ties with Europe, but insisted Labour will stick to its manifesto red lines of not rejoining the EU single market and customs union, or bringing back freedom of movement. Culture secretary Lisa Nandy slapped down Streeting over his comments. She told Sky News: “If rejoining the EU is the answer to what we were just told loud and clear by the country and parts of the country like mine, where we lost 25 out of 25 wards, 24 of them to Reform. “If rejoining the EU is the answer, then essentially what we’re saying to people is life was fine in 2015, we just need to go back there. I know Wes is coming up to campaign in the by-election quite soon. “He will hear loud and clear from people in places like Wigan, Ashton, Winstanley, across Makerfield, that that is absolutely not the case.” Subscribe to Commons People , the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster. Related... Exclusive: Wes Streeting Allies Insist He Will Run In Labour Leadership Contest Wes Streeting Resigns From Government With Ferocious Attack On Keir Starmer Labour MP Quits Seat To Let Andy Burnham Make MP Comeback And Launch Labour Leadership Bid
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