Britain cannot effectively address geopolitical crises without rejoining the EU, according to a report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), which urges the UK to pursue EU membership as a medium-term goal amid shifting global dynamics.
The IPPR, a thinktank with close ties to the Labour Party, argues that the UK’s post-Brexit strategy is outdated. It cites Russian aggression, US unpredictability, and Chinese economic pressure as reasons to seek EU membership. The report, published on 2026-10-18, states that sovereignty without the ability to act on it is not autonomy
and calls for a durable political support
base for EU reintegration.
New polling commissioned by the IPPR and Persuasion UK reveals 52% of voters support rejoining the EU, compared to 29% who oppose it. Among Labour voters considering switching to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, 54% want to join the EU, while 36% prefer to stay out. A separate poll by Persuasion UK showed a 64–36 split in favor of regaining membership, with 10% undecided and 9% opting not to vote.
Polling Reveals Public Support for EU Rejoining
However, the report acknowledges significant hurdles, including concerns over EU budget contributions and the potential loss of the pound for the euro. Questions around whether the UK will join the euro, for example, will be difficult,
said Mihir Sharma, principal research fellow at IPPR. But they can be overcome.
The thinktank also notes that 52% of voters would support rejoining if the deal included “shorter queues at passport control,” while “freedom of movement” failed to sway many voters.
Public sentiment is further shaped by the UK’s current trade relationships. The government highlights agreements with 74 countries, including the CPTPP, which covers 11 nations with a combined economic output of £13 trillion in 2025. However, the IPPR argues that these deals do not fully compensate for the EU’s role as the UK’s largest trading partner. The report also cites a survey by Persuasion UK, which found that 52% of voters back reentering the union, compared with 29% who oppose it.
Political Divisions and Strategic Dilemmas
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has opened the door to revisiting Britain’s EU relationship, with plans to outline long-term options at a November 20 summit in Brussels.
The IPPR’s report also addresses internal Labour debates. It notes that the party’s approach balances alignment where beneficial with autonomy where strategic. The report emphasizes that the UK’s “scale” is insufficient to address global challenges alone, citing Russian aggression and Chinese coercion as key drivers.
Challenges and Opportunities in Rejoining the EU
The UK-EU summit on 20 November 2026 will be a significant event. Rejoining the EU is likely to be one of the options discussed. However, the IPPR cautions that the world Britain built its post-Brexit strategy for no longer exists,
stressing the need for a “bold” reevaluation. As the debate intensifies, the government faces the challenge of balancing public sentiment, economic interests, and the complexities of EU negotiations.
With 64–36 support for regaining EU membership among those expressing an opinion, the path forward remains uncertain.
Other factors influencing the debate include the defunct Centre for Brexit Studies at Birmingham City University, which was shuttered in 2025. Simon Nixon, a critic of rejoining, argued that the EU does not accept refunds,
rejecting the idea of reversing Brexit as akin to renewing an expired gym membership.