Former UK Brexit Official Calls for National Debate on Re‑joining the EU

Philip Rycroft, who served as permanent secretary of the Department for Exiting the EU, said "Brexit is not done, Brexit will never be done" and urged political leaders to open a sensible national debate on the United Kingdom’s future relationship with the European Union, including the possibility of re‑joining the bloc. He argued that the world has changed dramatically since the 2016 referendum, pointing to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resulting security and economic challenges. Rycroft cited Office for Budget Responsibility estimates that leaving the single market could cost the UK around a 4 % loss in GDP growth over 15 years and warned that the country is poorer as a result of reduced trade.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out reversing his party’s pro‑Brexit manifesto, but pressure is growing within Labour, with figures such as Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham expressing differing views on closer EU ties. Reform UK remains opposed to any return. The debate is expected to feature at the upcoming UK‑EU summit in July, where Starmer will meet EU leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron.