A petition calling for the UK to reapply to join the EU has passed 100,000 signatures, forcing Parliament to consider a debate and ramping up pressure on Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government to abandon its Brexit red lines. The petition, titled “Apply to rejoin the EU as soon as possible to increase growth in the UK”, was launched in December by Robert McMaster of Berkshire for Europe, part of the European Movement UK network. It reached the milestone on Wednesday, becoming the second such petition to hit the threshold under the current government.
Mr McMaster claimed Brexit has “failed” and that a “clear majority” now wants to return. Mr McMaster said: “Ten years after the Brexit vote and six years since the UK left the EU, it has become clear that the UK public no longer supports leaving the EU.” He urged pro-EU groups to prepare debates on rejoining terms, even if less favourable than before. Dr Mike Galsworthy, Chair of European Movement UK, added that support for full membership is “getting stronger and more determined”.
However, YouGov polling published this week, based on fieldwork from 20-22 May 2026, shows support for rejoining at 56%, with 35% opposed. Among 2016 Leave voters, backing stands at just 22%. A separate YouGov finding reveals the public is net opposed to rejoining if Britain cannot keep key opt-outs such as retaining the pound.
Support for simply maintaining the current post-Brexit relationship is net negative, while further loosening ties is backed by just 19%. A closer relationship short of rejoining, the single market or customs union enjoys 70% support.
The petition’s progress revives memories of last year’s three-hour parliamentary debate, where most participating MPs criticised the government’s position on Brexit. Organisers plan more petitions every six months to sustain momentum.
Prime Minister Sir Keir has pursued a limited “reset” with the EU, including post-summit deals on agri-food, energy and emissions trading designed to ease certain barriers without re-entering the bloc or its core structures. The Prime Minister has repeatedly insisted the UK will not rejoin the EU, single market or customs union, framing the changes as pragmatic improvements that respect the referendum result.
Yet senior Labour figures are openly questioning that stance. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, a leading contender for the party leadership, has described Brexit as a “catastrophic mistake” that has left Britain “less wealthy, less powerful and less in control”.
Mr Streeting has argued that the UK’s long-term future lies “back in the European Union” and called for a new “special relationship” as a step towards that goal.
Brexit supporters see such comments as evidence of a slow betrayal of the 2016 vote, which delivered a 52-48 majority to leave. Reform UK voters remain firmly opposed to closer integration.
The Government initially responded to the petition at 10,000 signatures by stating bluntly: “The UK will not be rejoining the EU.” Campaigners claim public mood has since shifted, but polls show rejoin support remains well short of the decisive majorities seen in the original Brexit referendum.
Mr McMaster called on petition signatories to lobby MPs with personal stories of Brexit’s alleged impact ahead of any debate. European Movement UK hopes dozens more MPs will use the platform to push the Government.
Critics of rejoining note that EU accession would likely demand acceptance of the full body of EU law without Britain’s former opt-outs, potentially including the euro and Schengen. Separate research has shown net public opposition under those conditions.
As the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum approaches, the petition marks another flashpoint in the ongoing battle over Britain’s EU relationship.
Sir Keir’s reset has been attacked from one side as insufficient and from the other as the start of a reversal. With economic arguments on both sides and Leave voters still forming a substantial bloc, any move towards rejoining risks reopening deep national divisions.