The online document has garnered a large number of supporters, who argue that the time is right to go back in.
The Prime Minister has been urged to ask the EU to accept the UK’s re-entry (Image: Getty)
A petition has called for Britain to rejoin the EU as soon as possible. The online document, set up by Robert McMaster, has, at the time of writing, more than 56,000 supporters.
It states: “We believe Brexit‘s not working. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) judges that the UK economy is smaller and trade is weaker because of Brexit, and it will just get worse. Ten years after the Brexit vote, let’s apply to rejoin the EU, reverse the damage, boost growth, increase tax revenues and restore opportunities in the UK.”
The petition goes on to argue that long-run productivity will be reduced “due mainly to the increase in non-tariff barriers on trade”, and that “new trade deals will not have a material impact to offset this”. It adds that “savings on payments to the EU have been absorbed by increased Government spending”.
“It’s time to seek to rejoin the EU, remove those barriers and boost the economy,” Mr McMaster concludes.
Some Brits want to see the UK go back into the EU (Image: Getty)
The Cabinet Office said in response: “The UK will not be rejoining the EU, but this Government has reset its relationship with the EU with a new strategic partnership: A deal that is good for UK bills, borders, jobs and growth.”
It added: “The Government was elected in July 2024 with a clear mandate to strengthen our relationship with the EU without rejoining the Single Market, Customs Union or returning to freedom of movement.
“Since taking office, we have reset our relations with European partners in order to improve our diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation.”
The Prime Minister’s approach is “good for bills, good for our borders, and good for jobs”, officials claimed.
The Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement “will increase energy efficiency through cooperation on electricity trading, and allow a cheaper transition to net zero through linking our Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS)”, they added.
More is to come, the Cabinet Office emphasised.
It wrote: “Our focus for 2026 is all about driving forward.
“Negotiations for the UK’s association to Erasmus+ in 2027 have concluded and we are now working to conclude negotiations on the Youth Experience Scheme, establishing a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Area and linking our Emissions Trading Systems (ETS) by the time of the next EU-UK Summit, so that businesses and consumers can benefit from the impacts of these agreements as soon as possible.
“This Government is seizing the flexibility of Brexit – making the best choices for business and citizens from its position outside the EU, through significant deals with the US and India, and now a new partnership with the EU – each decision taken to support UK growth.
“This is making a Brexit that works for Britain.”
It comes as it was reported today that the UK will follow European Union rules without necessarily giving MPs a vote on each piece of red tape under plans which will be unveiled in the King’s Speech.
As part of the Government’s reset with Brussels, it will seek to pass a new law which would allow single market rules to be adopted through secondary legislation.
That is likely to mean new rules being rubber-stamped by MPs, as Parliament can either approve or reject secondary legislation, but cannot amend it.