In a move that underlines the continuing divisions over Brexit, Parliament will convene in the House of Commons on Monday, 24th March, to debate a petition calling for the United Kingdom to reapply for full membership of the European Union.
The petition, which has garnered over 132,000 signatures, argues that Brexit has delivered no tangible benefits and that the country would be better off within the EU.
The debate will be opened by Paul Davies MP, a member of the Petitions Committee, and will see contributions from MPs across the political spectrum. While the Government has firmly dismissed the prospect of rejoining, the discussion will provide a platform for parliamentarians to scrutinise the UK’s post-Brexit trajectory and explore the case for closer ties with Brussels.
The petition, titled “Apply for the UK to join the European Union as a full member as soon as possible”, makes a forthright case for reversing Brexit. It states: “I believe joining the EU would boost the economy, increase global influence, improve collaboration and provide stability & freedom.
“I believe that Brexit hasn’t brought any tangible benefit and there is no future prospect of any, that the UK has changed its mind and that this should be recognised.”
The signatories of the petition, evidently disillusioned with the UK’s post-Brexit economic and political standing, are seeking a fundamental shift in policy.
Their argument aligns with recent polls suggesting that public sentiment towards Brexit has soured, with a growing number of Britons believing that leaving the EU was a mistake.
Proponents of rejoining contend that restoring membership would facilitate trade, restore freedom of movement, and reinstate the UK’s influence within European decision-making structures.
However, the Government’s position remains resolute. In its official response to the petition, issued on 19th November 2024, it stated: “The Government was elected on a manifesto that made clear there will be no return to EU membership. However, we are determined to reset the UK-EU relationship, putting it on a more solid footing.”
This response makes it clear that while the Government acknowledges the need for a more constructive relationship with Brussels, rejoining the EU is not on the table. The then ruling Conservative Party, which campaigned in the last general election on a platform of making Brexit work, argues that reopening the debate would create further division and uncertainty. Instead, ministers are focused on strengthening trade agreements and cooperation within the framework of the existing Brexit deal.
The debate is likely to expose deep political fractures. Opposition parties, particularly the Liberal Democrats, the SNP, and sections of the Labour Party, have long advocated for closer ties with the EU, with some figures even supporting rejoining in principle. Labour leader Keir Starmer has repeatedly ruled out rejoining but has spoken in favour of enhancing the UK’s economic partnership with the bloc.
Conservative MPs, by contrast, are expected to defend the decision to leave and highlight the opportunities of an independent trade policy. Hardline Brexit supporters will likely use the debate to stress the importance of maintaining sovereignty and controlling borders, arguing that rejoining would amount to overturning the democratic mandate of the 2016 referendum.
Despite the passionate arguments that will undoubtedly emerge, the debate itself will not result in a vote or policy change. Petition debates are designed to allow MPs to discuss issues of public concern and to receive a ministerial response, rather than to make binding decisions. This means that while the discussion will give a voice to the many citizens who feel Brexit has failed, it will not directly alter Government policy.
Petition debates are scheduled by the Petitions Committee, which considers e-petitions that receive significant public support. The session will be broadcast live on the UK Parliament’s official YouTube channel, allowing the public to follow the discussion in real time.
While the prospect of rejoining the EU remains remote under the current Government, the debate reflects a broader shift in public discourse. The UK’s economic struggles, labour shortages, and the complexities of trading arrangements post-Brexit have prompted renewed scrutiny of the country’s decision to leave.
For now, Downing Street remains steadfast in its opposition to reversing Brexit. However, as discussions about the UK’s long-term future continue to evolve, it is clear that the question of Europe is far from settled. Whether this petition debate is merely a footnote in the Brexit saga or the beginning of a more serious reconsideration of the UK’s relationship with the EU remains to be seen.
