A dispute has erupted at the top of the Labour Party over whether Britain should try to rejoin the EU, after Wes Streeting said the country should eventually aim to regain membership. Streeting, who resigned as health secretary last week in protest against Keir Starmer’s leadership, sparked a war of words when he argued on Saturday that Britain’s future lies back in the EU.
After Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy dismissed his comments as odd, Streeting’s allies hit back, saying the government’s unwillingness to discuss the issue shows why it is so unpopular. The row highlights divisions within Labour as it heads into a by-election in Makerfield that could decide the fate of the entire government.
It started when Streeting said: “In 2026, the British people increasingly see that in a dangerous world we must stick together, both to rebuild our economy and trade, and to improve our defence against shared threats like Russian aggression and America First. The biggest economic opportunity we have is right on our doorstep. We need a new special relationship with the EU, because Britain’s future lies with Europe – and one day back in the European Union.”
He also said he would stand in a leadership contest if one were triggered, which is likely if Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham wins in Makerfield and then challenges the prime minister.
Nandy criticised Streeting’s comments on Sunday. She told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg: “I actually think this is just a bit odd. I listened carefully to what Wes said yesterday, and I know he has a strong view, as he always has, that we shouldn’t have left the European Union. Frankly, I share that view. I campaigned to remain, I think Brexit was a mistake, and I think the Brexit deal has been a real problem for us. But I don’t really understand why the sudden focus on Europe. As a government, we’re already trying to pragmatically repair the needless damage that poor Brexit deal did to people’s living standards in towns like mine, without reopening the circular arguments we got stuck in as a country.”
Streeting’s allies quickly hit back, saying Nandy’s unwillingness to talk about EU membership shows a broader reluctance to take political risks. They argue this is one reason Starmer is so unpopular and may face a leadership challenge within weeks. “There’s no point in trying not to upset anyone – that’s what got us into this mess,” one ally said. “Sometimes you have to be willing to upset people to get things done.”
The argument is part of a wider policy debate Labour has started after less than two years in office, as potential leadership candidates begin to set out their visions.
Burnham announced his intention to stand in Makerfield last week, promising to challenge Starmer for his position if he wins. His announcement came after days of resignations from the government and calls from Labour MPs for the prime minister to step down, leaving his leadership more fragile than ever. Burnham hasn’t been officially selected as the candidate yet, but he has received permission from Labour’s ruling national executive committee, removing the main obstacle. He is expected to be confirmed as the candidate next week, kicking off a month-long process that could decide who will be in Downing Street by the end of the summer. His allies say he would seek to change government policy if elected, focusing especially on the cost of living and how major utility companies are run.
Josh Simons, the Labour MP who is leaving the Makerfield seat to make way for his ally, suggested on Sunday that taking publicPublic ownership of utilities could be a key part of his appeal to voters. “Energy, water, social housing – the essentials we all rely on – have become so expensive,” he told the BBC on Sunday. “And one reason for that – not the only one, but a big one – is that we’ve privatized many of them, so the bills we pay often go to shareholders.”
Starmer’s allies say he hasn’t given up hope of staying in office, and they insist he will enter a leadership race if one happens. When asked on Sunday if she thought Starmer would run in a leadership contest, Nandy replied: “He said he will… I haven’t spoken to him this weekend, but I’ve talked to him several times over the past week, and he’s shown before that he’s ready for a fight.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs regarding the Labour leadership dispute between Lisa Nandy and Wes Streeting
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What is the dispute about
Lisa Nandy criticized comments made by Wes Streeting She felt his remarks were too aggressive or dismissive of the partys traditional values while Streeting believes his approach is necessary to win the next election
2 Who are Lisa Nandy and Wes Streeting
Both are senior Labour MPs Lisa Nandy is the Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up and Wes Streeting is the Shadow Health Secretary
3 Is this a major split in the Labour Party
Not yet Its a public disagreement but both are still part of the same leadership team It shows there are internal tensions about the partys direction
4 Why did this become public news
Their disagreement was reported in the media after Nandy made her criticism publicly Its news because it involves two highprofile figures in the same party
Intermediate Questions
5 What exactly did Wes Streeting say that caused the problem
Streeting argued that Labour must be ruthless in prioritizing workingclass voters over traditional leftwing activists He also suggested the party should be less critical of private sector involvement in the NHS which angered some colleagues
6 What was Lisa Nandys specific criticism
Nandy said Streetings language was unhelpful and risked alienating the partys core supporters She argued that Labour shouldnt sound like its abandoning its values just to win votes
7 Does this dispute hurt Labours chances in the next election
It can go either way Public infighting can make the party look divided and weak However debating policy openly can also show voters that Labour is a broad church with honest disagreements
8 How has Keir Starmer responded to the dispute
As of now Starmer has not publicly taken sides He is likely trying to keep both figures in the tent while focusing the partys attention on criticizing the Conservative government
Advanced Questions
9 What does this dispute reveal about the deeper ideological battle inside Labour
It highlights the classic tension between the pragmatic wing and the social democratic wing wanting to stick
