A report published on Sunday, October 18, 2026, by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) recommended that Prime Minister Andy Burnham seek to rejoin the European Union. The think tank stated that full membership is necessary to address security concerns related to Russia and the political shift in the United States under Donald Trump. The report urged the Labour leader to move past previous debates about the 2016 referendum and acknowledge that the EU has evolved into a different entity focused on defense and security.
The recommendation follows a period of government efforts to repair diplomatic relations with European neighbors. While Prime Minister Burnham previously stated at his party's annual conference in September 2026 that he would explore options to move closer to the bloc, the IPPR argued that individual deals are insufficient. The report suggested that the UK should work toward re-entry by building a national consensus and proposing a European Defence Alliance to reduce reliance on the U.S. for military capabilities like satellite communications.
The report cited new polling conducted by IPPR and Persuasion UK, which found a 64–36 split in favor of regaining EU membership among those who expressed a view. The data indicated that 54 percent of Labour voters considering a move to the Reform party supported rejoining, compared to 36 percent who preferred to remain outside the bloc. Harry Quilter-Pinner, executive director of IPPR, noted that while a referendum should not be announced immediately, the government should begin the groundwork for a future return.
The proposal affects the legal and economic status of all residents of the United Kingdom, who would see changes to trade regulations, border protocols, and potentially their right to work and live across the continent. According to the reported polling, a 28-point margin of those expressing a view favored rejoining, based on two surveys of 3,039 and 2,907 people in June 2026. For the average household, re-entry could influence the cost of living by altering supply chain costs and tariffs that have been in place since the UK's departure.
The shift would also impact the UK’s defense infrastructure and technology sectors. The IPPR recommended creating a European Defence Alliance that would integrate British satellite systems with European partners. This follows reports from Ukrainian officials on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, regarding service disruptions to the Starlink satellite system, which they attributed to Donald Trump curbs on access. The report suggests that by rejoining, the UK would gain collective weight in negotiations involving artificial intelligence and competition with China, rather than acting as an outsider.
Prime Minister Burnham recently signaled that a future Labour manifesto could include an "in-out" referendum on EU membership, though no specific date has been set. The government responded to the report by stating it is currently focused on building an "ambitious, close relationship" to strengthen the economy. The next steps for the administration involve balancing these calls for full membership with the prime minister's previous commitment to explore intermediate options for closer alignment.