British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has acknowledged that Brexit has caused significant economic damage to the United Kingdom, yet continues to rule out rejoining the European Union or its single market.
In a speech Monday, Starmer said Britain is still dealing with the consequences of Brexit’s “wild promises,” telling an audience at the annual Lady Mayor’s Banquet that while he respects the Brexit vote, the way the UK’s departure was “sold and delivered” was “simply wrong.”
Earlier Monday, the prime minister said that the UK must “face the reality” that Brexit “significantly damaged” the economy and argued the country must continue moving toward closer ties with the European Union to boost growth.
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Despite these acknowledgments, Starmer has repeatedly insisted the UK will not rejoin the EU “in his lifetime” and has ruled out returning to the European Customs Union or Single Market. His government has instead pursued what it calls a “reset” with Brussels, negotiating limited agreements on trade, security and youth mobility.
Starmer has also become more vocal in criticizing Brexit’s architects. He recently blamed Reform UK leader Nigel Farage for immigration challenges, calling migrant boats crossing the English Channel “Farage boats” and saying Farage “was wrong” about Brexit’s impact on returns agreements with EU countries.
Critics from both sides of the Brexit divide have attacked the prime minister’s position. In May, Starmer struck a deal with Brussels that loosened certain trade barriers while granting the EU concessions on youth mobility programs and fishing access. Pro-Brexit lawmakers accused him of “Brexit betrayal,” while Remain supporters criticize him for not pursuing the single market membership that economists say would meaningfully boost the stagnant economy.
British officials abandoned talks last week about joining an EU defense fund after concluding the financial terms offered insufficient value for UK taxpayers.
While polls show declining support for Brexit, Starmer has refused to advocate rejoining the EU — maintaining what he calls manifesto commitments despite what political analysts describe as electoral calculations.
The Reform UK party, which campaigns on a hardline anti-EU platform, has warned that any closer alignment with Brussels could boost its support among voters who backed Brexit in the 2016 referendum.
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