The paper, which comes weeks after a similar one<\/a> from the Tony Blair Institute, adds to growing pressure on the prime minister to back re-entry once his review is over.<\/p>\n Harry Quilter-Pinner, the IPPR\u2019s executive director, said: \u201cThe government has made important progress in repairing relations with Europe<\/a>, but a series of individual deals will not be enough. There is one option which is best for the UK\u2019s relationship with Europe \u2013 membership of the EU.<\/p>\n \u201cThat does not mean announcing another referendum tomorrow. But this means starting work to move towards this destination, building political support at home and in Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n Andy Burnham with the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen. Photograph: Toby Melville\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n The IPPR argues that the position taken by the former prime minister Keir Starmer \u2013 that the UK should seek closer ties with the EU but not contemplate joining a single market or the bloc as a whole \u2013 puts the UK at a disadvantage at a time of global change.<\/p>\n It says Russian expansionism, the lack of reliability from the US as an international partner and increased assertiveness from Beijing mean that the UK should reinforce its power by joining other European nations rather than trying to go it alone.<\/p>\n The paper says: \u201cSovereignty without the ability to act on it is not autonomy; hedging between larger powers is, at best, a strategy for survival rather than for success.\u201d<\/p>\n Chart of voters for all main parties who want to rejoin the EU<\/a><\/p>\n It argues that so much has changed since Britain left the EU in 2020 that this would not count as rejoining, but becoming a member of a wholly new European Union<\/a>. Most voters would be willing to support such a position, it says, citing new polling showing 52% of voters back reentering the union, compared with 29% who oppose such a move.<\/p>\n Voters were likely to be attracted by the promise of shorter queues at passport control in particular, which comes out considerably ahead of economic benefits and the chance to live and work in the EU as potential benefits of membership.<\/p>\n skip past newsletter promotion<\/a>Free newsletter |Every weekday<\/p>\n Sign up to First Edition<\/p>\n Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what\u2019s happening and why it matters<\/p>\n after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n However, they were also likely to be dissuaded by aggressive messaging on migration, with the percentage in favour falling from 52% to 47% once voters are told that rejoining would \u201copen the floodgates\u201d to more migrants. Such a message proved more effective in the polling than one focused on \u201cfreedom of movement\u201d, which failed to change the minds of many voters.<\/p>\n Chart of issues that influence people\u2019s decisions to rejoin the EU<\/a><\/p>\n The flurry of thinktank reports comes after Burnham signalled he wanted a rethink<\/a> of Britain\u2019s policy on the EU, announcing at Labour conference he would commission a review of all the options available.<\/p>\n Though the prime minister has not stated his own view as part of that review, he previously told the Guardian<\/a> he wanted the UK to re-enter the bloc in his lifetime.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1792404613_173_1000.jpg\")
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