• Analysis
Rachel Reeves says Britain's future lies in the EU as she backs Burnham on Brexit
Rachel Reeves, the Labour former chancellor sacked by Andy Burnham, says the UK's future should be inside the European Union, arguing Brexit has left Britain "poorer, weaker and less secure". Writing in the Sunday Times on 1 November 2026, she urged re-entry supporters to make the case.
Reeves's case for re-entry
The Labour former cabinet minister wrote in the Sunday Times that she believed "Britain's future lies in the European Union", setting out her position on Rachel Reeves and the EU debate. She said leaving the bloc had made the country "poorer, weaker and less secure".
"Incumbent on supporters of our re-entry to make the argument, demonstrate tangible benefits and to get the next steps right."
That burden, she argued, sits with those who want Britain back inside, not with the status quo.
A pointed word from a sacked chancellor
Reeves was dismissed as chancellor when Burnham entered Downing Street, yet used the article to defend her own record in the role. She wrote that she was proud of the progress made in strengthening ties with Brussels and that no one in the Treasury doubted her instincts.
What she wants from the summit
Looking to the UK-EU summit due next month, Reeves set out two hopes for the UK-EU future:
- •confirmation of the youth mobility scheme at the meeting
- •"progress towards entry" into the Security Action for Europe (Safe) scheme
Safe was announced in March as part of an EU-wide effort to rearm following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A defence pact agreed with the EU in May already paved the way for UK-based defence companies to take part in Safe-funded projects.
Burnham's caution
Burnham's own recent remarks had fuelled questions about Britain returning to the bloc or adopting its freedom of movement rules. But the prime minister has told ministers it would not be appropriate "to advocate for specific options or opine on the likely outcome" of renegotiating the relationship. In a letter to his cabinet, he said any "fundamental change" to post-Brexit arrangements would be for the public to decide and left to the next parliament.
He wants deals on food and drink, emissions trading and a youth mobility scheme locked in at the summit, with the period beyond set aside to "explore options" for the long-term relationship.
