Kinnock Demands UK Rejoin EU: Critics Say He Wants To Overturn Brexit Vote
Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock has declared Britain should rejoin the European Union, calling it the “only patriotic thing to do”. His remarks have reignited criticism from Brexit supporters, who argue his position dismisses the democratic decision made by millions of British voters in the 2016 referendum.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Lord Kinnock urged the incoming prime minister not to be constrained by Labour’s current “red lines” on Europe. His intervention comes as debate continues over Britain’s future relationship with the EU, despite the country voting to leave a decade ago.
Labour’s “Red Lines” Under Fire
Lord Kinnock called on Andy Burnham, widely expected to become Labour leader, not to follow Sir Keir Starmer’s cautious approach to Europe. Labour’s current position rules out rejoining the customs union, the single market and restoring free movement.
His comments have once again exposed divisions inside Labour over Brexit. They also raise wider questions about whether some senior politicians have ever fully accepted the outcome of the 2016 referendum, in which 17.4 million people voted to leave the European Union.
What People Are Saying
“The only patriotic thing to do is to get us back into the European Union – it’s as raw and as basic as that. If you love your country, and the people who live under the flag – and not just saluting the flag – then you will want to get us back into the European Union. All the other options are not patriotic.”
— Neil Kinnock, Former Labour Leader
Kinnock’s comments have prompted criticism from Brexit supporters, who argue that branding those who backed Leave as “unpatriotic” ignores the democratic verdict delivered by the British public. They contend that respecting referendum results is itself a patriotic principle, regardless of differing views on Brexit.
Neil Kinnock says rejoining the EU is the “only patriotic thing to do”.
He wants Labour to move beyond its current Brexit “red lines”.
He described Brexit as an “avoidable disaster”.
Critics argue his remarks undermine the decision made by 17.4 million Leave voters in 2016.
The debate over Britain’s future relationship with the EU continues to divide British politics.
What This Means for Britain
For many Brexit supporters, this debate is about far more than trade or economics. It is about whether democratic decisions should continue to be respected once the public has spoken. The 2016 referendum delivered the biggest democratic mandate in British history, and Parliament subsequently voted to implement it.
Critics of Lord Kinnock argue that describing Brexit supporters as unpatriotic risks alienating millions of voters who believed they were restoring parliamentary sovereignty and democratic accountability. They contend that repeatedly seeking to reverse the referendum outcome weakens public trust in politics.
Politically, Kinnock’s intervention highlights the continuing divide within Labour over Europe. While party leaders have sought to reassure Leave voters that Brexit will not be reversed, senior figures continue to argue openly for rejoining the European Union.
Whether Britain should seek closer ties with Brussels will remain a major political question. However, many voters will see Kinnock’s comments as reopening a debate they believed was settled at the ballot box.
Share if you believe democratic referendum results should be respected, even when politicians disagree with the outcome.
Tags: Neil Kinnock, Brexit, EU, Labour, Referendum, Democracy
