The Brexit debate is returning strongly to the British political scene, this time from within the ruling Labor Party. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has publicly called on his government to commit to the UK’s re-entry into the European Union at the next general election, opening a politically sensitive but increasingly urgent debate on the country’s future after .
In an interview with CNBC, Khan called Brexit “the biggest act of economic self-destruction a country has ever committed”, arguing that a return to the single market and customs union is the most effective way to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and restore Britain’s economic dynamism.
Pressure on Starmer after election losses
The London mayor’s comments come just days after Labour’s significant losses in local elections, a result that has sparked intense internal party reflection and public debate even over the future of Starmer’s leadership.
Khan openly acknowledged voter frustration with the government, noting that “people are frustrated by the slow implementation of commitments.” At the same time, he stressed that Labor “has not been bold enough and brave enough” and warned that the party risks losing “heavily” the next national election, which should be held by 2029.
In this context, he called on Starmer to make a clear political commitment: “Labour must go into the next election with a clear promise that, if they win, Britain will return to the European Union.”
Brexit back in focus
It officially left the EU in 2020, following a 2016 referendum in which 52% of citizens voted to leave. Although both the Conservatives and the Labor leadership have so far avoided re-opening the debate on reintegration, economic pressures and geopolitical realignments appear to be gradually changing the climate.
Khan argued that the British economy needed a new boost to growth and investment, stressing that “the best way to create wealth and prosperity is to rejoin the biggest trading bloc next to us”.
His intervention takes on particular weight due to London’s position as Europe’s leading financial centre, which has been directly affected by the consequences of Brexit on investment, financial services and trade flows.
International crises and the Trump factor
The mayor of London also linked Britain’s economic difficulties to international developments, saying that the return of Donald Trump to the White House, US tariff policies and conflicts in Iran and Ukraine have significantly burdened the international economic environment.
Kahn called Trump “unpredictable” and a “disruptor,” noting that unilateral U.S. moves — from tariffs to pressure on NATO and pulling out of international agreements — are creating uncertainty in markets and raising energy and living costs.
Despite his criticism of the US president, Khan defended Starmer’s strategy of maintaining close ties with both Washington and Brussels, arguing that Britain could act as a bridge between the two sides of the Atlantic.
“Stability instead of internal party crisis”
While harshly criticizing the government for “mistakes and failures” that have overshadowed Labour’s political successes, Khan appeared cautious about the scenarios for Starmer’s replacement.
He said investors, CEOs and international funds still see the UK as a country that offers “calm, stability and predictability”, elements he sees as crucial in a period of geopolitical turmoil.
The public intervention of the mayor of London shows, however, that within the Labor Party a trend of re-approachment with Europe is now developing more openly, at a time when British society is increasingly critically reviewing the costs and results of Brexit.
