Labour leadership jostling puts Brexit back under political spotlight

The UK's relationship with the EU looks set to become an issue in both a possible Labour leadership contest and the coming by-election in the Makerfield constituency.

Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, in his first public appearance since resigning from the cabinet, told an audience in London on Saturday that "leaving the European Union was a catastrophic mistake".

At the Progress Conference, organised by the "Blairite" wing of the Labour Party, he announced he would contest a formal challenge to replace Sir Keir Starmer.

Within an hour Conservative Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake seized on Streeting's comment, saying "whilst Labour relitigate Brexit, Britain is not being governed".

Hollinrake called the remarks "yet another distraction... at a time when families and businesses want the government focused on the cost of living, the economy, public services and Britain's defence".

Under Sir Keir Starmer, Labour have trod warily around the issue of Brexit, sticking to "red lines" that, while seeking a closer relationship with the EU, the UK would not be rejoining either the EU's single market or a customs union.

In his speech, Streeting said Labour had suffered from an "overcautiousness" when formulating policies in opposition. He said the party had been "too afraid of what the Tories might say" but must now deal with "the big issues that define our age".

He listed "three big, important choices we have to make as a country".

First on his list was Brexit.

"It has left us less wealthy, less powerful, and less in control than at any point since before the Industrial Revolution," Streeting said.

"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," he added.

He made clear this could only happen if a new mandate was secured, such as at a general election.

Streeting's comments have put Andy Burnham's position on the issue under the spotlight.

On Saturday the Greater Manchester mayor was out canvassing for votes in the Makerfield constituency. He hopes to be the Labour candidate in the coming by-election, which the BBC understands will likely take place on 18 June. If he wins he'd be able to challenge for Labour's leadership.

He was asked by ITV News whether he was in favour of rejoining the EU and said "in the long-term there is a case for that". But he said he is "not advocating that in this by-election".

In the past Burnham has, like Streeting, said he respects the expressed will of the British people on Brexit and any move to rejoin the EU could only come if a fresh mandate had been secured.

Reform UK is hoping to use the issue to galvanise voters in Makerfield.

It said that 65% of people in the area voted for Brexit in the referendum in 2016.