A good political leader needs vision, integrity, strong communication skills, empathy and the courage to make difficult decisions in the national interest. Leadership is tested most severely during periods of uncertainty, when confronting uncomfortable truths matters more than protecting political reputations. For Britain, Brexit has become such a test. With economic growth struggling, international security deteriorating and public confidence in leaving the European Union weakening, the case for rebuilding closer relations with Brussels deserves serious consideration.
Nearly a decade after the 2016 referendum, Brexit has failed to deliver many of the economic benefits its supporters promised. Economic research suggests that the British economy is substantially smaller than it would have been had the country remained in the EU. Some estimates place the long-term impact on GDP per capita at between 6 and 8 percent compared with a scenario in which Britain had stayed in the bloc.
The consequences extend beyond economic statistics. Additional trade barriers, reduced investment, regulatory complications and persistent uncertainty have contributed to a difficult business environment. Households continue to face pressure on living standards, while the government struggles to generate sufficient growth to fund public services without difficult decisions on taxation and spending.
The central question is no longer simply whether Brexit was justified in 2016. It is whether Britain’s current arrangements serve its national interests-and whether closer European cooperation could improve economic performance, strengthen security and support essential public services.
Andy Burnham, Britain’s new prime minister, appears willing to confront that question directly. His advocacy of closer relations with the EU could mark a significant turning point in British politics. Reopening the Brexit debate carries considerable political risks, but refusing to reconsider its consequences could mean placing political convenience above the national interest.
A new direction for Britain’s European policy
Burnham’s return to Westminster following the parliamentary recess signaled a more assertive approach to relations with Europe. Urging MPs to support closer ties, he argued that rejecting greater cooperation would amount to a dereliction of duty.
For years, British political leaders have largely avoided reopening the Brexit debate. Even those who acknowledge its economic shortcomings have feared reviving divisions over sovereignty, immigration and national identity.
The concerns are understandable. The 2016 referendum was a defining moment in modern British history, and reversing its outcome would provoke opposition from voters who viewed leaving the EU as an expression of democratic independence. Nevertheless, democratic legitimacy does not require governments to preserve every decision indefinitely, regardless of its consequences. Responsible leadership demands reassessment when evidence and circumstances change.
Burnham’s approach reflects a growing argument that Britain should examine its European relationship through a calm, evidence-based perspective. Rather than treating Brexit as irreversible, the government could identify which forms of cooperation would deliver the greatest benefits to businesses, workers and the wider public.
Economic recovery requires more than trade deals
The economic case for closer European relations is substantial. Britain has negotiated trade agreements with countries including Japan, Australia, New Zealand and India, but these arrangements have not fully compensated for the barriers created by leaving its largest nearby trading partner.
Geography matters. European markets remain essential to British manufacturers, agricultural producers, financial services and small businesses. Established supply chains, proximity and integrated commercial relationships cannot easily be replicated through agreements with distant economies.
The EU single market offers advantages that conventional free trade agreements cannot fully reproduce. Reducing regulatory barriers, simplifying customs procedures and improving access for service providers could help British companies compete more effectively. Greater certainty could also encourage investment.
A closer relationship could begin with practical measures rather than an immediate attempt to reverse every consequence of Brexit. Aligning food standards, linking emissions trading systems and expanding opportunities for young people to live, work and study across borders could deliver tangible benefits while rebuilding trust.
These measures would not resolve every economic problem. Britain still needs domestic reforms to address weak productivity, housing pressures, regional inequalities and strained public services. However, improved access to European markets could stimulate growth, strengthen government revenues and create greater room for investment in essential services.
The political risks of reopening Brexit
The obstacles remain considerable. Brexit advocates, the Conservative Party and sections of the electorate would oppose renewed integration, arguing that it risks surrendering sovereignty without guaranteeing economic recovery.
Immigration would be particularly contentious. Cooperation on trade, services and customs arrangements may attract broader support than restoring freedom of movement. Renewed contributions to the EU budget would also face scrutiny, while adopting the euro would introduce additional economic and constitutional complications.
Burnham must distinguish between improving relations with Brussels and formally rejoining the EU. The former could proceed through incremental agreements; the latter would require extensive negotiations, domestic political support and agreement with European institutions and member states.
A credible strategy must acknowledge these difficulties rather than promise that closer integration will immediately solve Britain’s economic problems. The government would need to explain the obligations involved, the benefits expected and the limits of what negotiations could achieve.
Nevertheless, public attitudes may be changing. As the practical costs of Brexit become more apparent, voters may increasingly prioritize economic stability and international cooperation over the symbolism of separation. This does not automatically establish a mandate for rejoining the EU, but it creates an opportunity for a more honest national debate.
European cooperation and national security
The argument for closer ties extends beyond economics. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of collective security, strategic coordination and solidarity among democratic nations. European countries face shared challenges involving military preparedness, energy security, cyber threats and critical infrastructure.
Britain remains a major military power and an important NATO member. Leaving the EU did not eliminate the need to cooperate with European allies, but Brexit complicated some institutional relationships at a time when geopolitical developments increasingly demand coordinated responses.
Claims that Russia decisively influenced the 2016 referendum require careful examination. Moscow had strategic reasons to welcome divisions within Western alliances, and Brexit weakened political cohesion between Britain and the EU. However, demonstrating that Russian interference changed the referendum’s outcome is a separate and more difficult task.
The wider lesson is clear: divisions among Western democracies can benefit their adversaries. Britain working more closely with its European neighbors could improve coordination against shared threats while preserving its independent role within NATO.
The international economic environment reinforces this argument. Rising protectionism, tariffs and uncertainty in transatlantic relations have weakened the assumption that Britain could easily replace European integration with privileged access to distant markets.
A defining test of leadership
Britain’s special relationship with the United States remains important, but it has not provided a complete substitute for the advantages of EU membership. Nor can multiple bilateral trade agreements fully reproduce the opportunities associated with participation in a large, integrated regional market.
Burnham must therefore decide whether Britain’s future prosperity is better served by maintaining distance from Europe or negotiating a closer partnership suited to current economic and security realities.
That requires presenting evidence, acknowledging the limitations of integration and avoiding promises of immediate economic miracles. Reconsidering Brexit does not mean every argument for leaving was illegitimate. It means judging policy by its results rather than treating past decisions as untouchable.
Britain does not need to settle every question about EU membership immediately. It does, however, need to stop treating closer European cooperation as a political taboo. A carefully negotiated path toward deeper economic, diplomatic and security ties could encourage investment, restore confidence and strengthen Britain’s position internationally.
Brexit was presented as an opportunity to reclaim control and expand Britain’s global influence. If its lasting consequences instead include weaker growth, reduced economic opportunities and diminished strategic cohesion, Britain has compelling reasons to reconsider its direction.
The EU would benefit from a stronger partnership, too. In a world increasingly shaped by protectionism, geopolitical competition and insecurity, closer cooperation between Britain and Europe could reinforce both sides.
For Burnham, confronting Brexit’s legacy may define his political leadership. For Britain, it could determine whether the country continues to struggle with the consequences of separation or builds a more pragmatic relationship with its closest European partners. The ultimate responsibility of leadership is not to preserve Brexit for its own sake, but to pursue the arrangements most likely to deliver prosperity, security and stability for future generations.
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