Brexit chaos looms as Keir Starmer faces a storm over Britain's EU ties. Tory MP Alex Burghart warns that Starmer might call a new referendum to "save his skin." He's allied with Kemi Badenoch, planning a national rescue mission in the face of political turmoil.

Burghart, who left his life as a historian to become a political crusader, expresses deep concern about the current trajectory of Brexit. He claims Starmer's efforts to forge a closer relationship with the EU could eventually lead to rejoining it, surrendering control over UK regulations. Britain's europhiles argue: "We're taking their rules without a say."

Could Labour perform the biggest U-turn yet and hold a referendum before the election? Burghart, reflecting on political insanity, thinks it's possible. If Starmer perceives a referendum as a path to political survival, he might just initiate it despite Labour’s pledge of "no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement."

The political atmosphere is heated, with Kemi Badenoch viewed as an emerging leader with potential to transform the Conservative Party. Burghart envisions her as the next Thatcher, ready to tackle high taxes, national debt, and revitalize the private sector.

This prediction comes amidst rising discontent with the Labour government's policies, which some say echo the problematic strategies of the 1970s. Burghart accuses them of "massive borrowing, spending, and taxes," urging the UK to recognize it is "no longer a wealthy country."

With calls for reforms and economic revival intensifying, Burghart advocates for a Britain where young talents needn't seek success abroad. The Tories, under Badenoch, hope to eliminate barriers and harness opportunity within the UK.

As Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, Burghart is central to the Conservative strategy. He stresses a welfare system that prioritizes self-reliance and work, countering Labour efforts that risk historical revisionism in Northern Ireland.

In the rising tide of political uncertainty, the UK's future hangs in the balance. Will Starmer's leadership weather this brewing storm, or is Britain on track for another contentious Brexit referendum?

Key Takeaways

• Starmer’s moves on Brexit may lead to a shocking U-turn!

• Kemi Badenoch positioned as Tories' beacon of hope!

• Economic challenges and political upheaval loom large for Britain!

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Exoress 2026-01-17

 

 

It's inevitable that the UK will rejoin the EU at some point.

Brexit is as dead as a door nail.

On 1/18/2026 at 9:10 AM, JBChiangRai said:

It's inevitable that the UK will rejoin the EU at some point.

Extremely unlikely.

On 1/18/2026 at 3:10 AM, JBChiangRai said:

It's inevitable that the UK will rejoin the EU at some point.

I don't know how old you are but it will be at least a generation before that is even feasible. And only then after root and branch constitutional and political reform and a change in the country's 19th century mindset. Something noone is even talking about at the moment.

It still hasn't settled into awareness yet that the UK is out of the EU because it's not up to it, mentally, socially or administratively. 40 years wasted resisting change and coming into the 20th/21st centuries. And as its latest impressive act the isolating island is lining up the lying clown Farage as the next PM.

Way to go 555

28 minutes ago, BusyB said:

I don't know how old you are but it will be at least a generation before that is even feasible. And only then after root and branch constitutional and political reform and a change in the country's 19th century mindset. Something noone is even talking about at the moment.

It still hasn't settled into awareness yet that the UK is out of the EU because it's not up to it, mentally, socially or administratively. 40 years wasted resisting change and coming into the 20th/21st centuries. And as its latest impressive act the isolating island is lining up the lying clown Farage as the next PM.

Way to go 555

I don't think it will necessarily happen in my lifetime, but sooner or later there will be a referendum and only when there is so much push to rejoin.

4 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

I don't think it will necessarily happen in my lifetime, but sooner or later there will be a referendum and only when there is so much push to rejoin.

Most definitely not in my lifetime. The application to join (not rejoin) will only be accepted when sanity prevails and the Brexit faction is no longer a factor. As long as they are there's no point in anyone negotiating membership so those tools can call another Brexit once in power probably without a referendumb. The UK has a supertanker sized load of trust to earn if it ever should come to its senses.

Another monumental problem the country faces is the almost total lack of political education and awareness amongst the broader UK electorate. They really have no clue. Whatever problems EU countries may have, you cannot show me another population that elects such utterly useless, ineffective and idiotic parties and personalities into government, in what is actually a synchronized set of local elections, not a national election. Compare and contrast the succession of clowns that went to 'negotiate Brexit' with the pros in Brussels. Pathetic. Shameful. Ludicrous and comedy pure. A declaration of national political bankruptcy. Like Brexit itself.

Even those who preferred the EU, the so-called 'remainers', mostly still, after 10 years of heated discussion and Brexit, do not understand what the EU is or how it works. They think it's all about the lucre they lost in trade caused by Brexit, and it's not. It's about totally different political principles which hardly anyone in the UK understands. Many of those who do reject them for purely self-centered reasons. 'Taking back control' never had anything to do with those who were persuaded to vote for it.

Yet as I said above, noone is even talking about reforming the system that gives Starmer (or next time Farage, or anyone) a 140 seat parliamentary majority on 30% of the vote. And that's only the most obvious idiocy in the UK's 'democracy'.

8 hours ago, Caldera said:

Brexit is as dead as a door nail.

Brexit is the zombie haunting the attic toxically polluting everything that goes on in the house. In that sense it's dead I suppose. But not really. Undead. Most, including some of the most powerful in the country dare not even mention its name as it looms so menacingly over everything - severely worsening the country's unremitting decline.

On 1/18/2026 at 9:10 AM, JBChiangRai said:

It's inevitable that the UK will rejoin the EU at some point.

Even if Starmer was stupid enough to hold a referendum and Britain voted to Rejoin (highly unlikely), it would never happen.

1. Farage would be the next PM.

2. The EU hates us for leaving, and hence the terms of rejoining would be so punitive that even the stupidest of Remainers would realize it was a bad idea.

3. The EU is dying.

Keep dreaming though.

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

Even if Starmer was stupid enough to hold a referendum and Britain voted to Rejoin (highly unlikely), it would never happen.

1. Farage would be the next PM.

2. The EU hates us for leaving, and hence the terms of rejoining would be so punitive that even the stupidest of Remainers would realize it was a bad idea.

3. The EU is dying.

Keep dreaming though.

Your confidence that Reform will win the next election and Farage will be PM is rather sweet. Unfortunately for you, the election is still at least 3 years away and Reform are plunging in the polls. Britain will never be crazy enough to elect a hard-right government.

3 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Even if Starmer was stupid enough to hold a referendum and Britain voted to Rejoin (highly unlikely), it would never happen.

1. Farage would be the next PM.

2. The EU hates us for leaving, and hence the terms of rejoining would be so punitive that even the stupidest of Remainers would realize it was a bad idea.

3. The EU is dying.

Keep dreaming though.

No 1 is still three years away if it ever happens.

2. The EU would love to have us back. Sure conditions would be tougher but it's the Customs Union we really need to join. we could be affiliated like Norway and Switzerland, etc.

3. The EU is getting stronger all the time. Romania joined the Euro the other day. As for Europe generally, the far right parties, so trumpeted by Trump and Vance, are united in their opposition to Trump's madness regarding Greenland.

   Go on Trump, unite Europe like never before.

On 1/19/2026 at 2:14 PM, BusyB said:

I don't know how old you are but it will be at least a generation before that is even feasible. And only then after root and branch constitutional and political reform and a change in the country's 19th century mindset. Something noone is even talking about at the moment.

It still hasn't settled into awareness yet that the UK is out of the EU because it's not up to it, mentally, socially or administratively. 40 years wasted resisting change and coming into the 20th/21st centuries. And as its latest impressive act the isolating island is lining up the lying clown Farage as the next PM.

Way to go 555

Ridiculous.

On 1/20/2026 at 9:48 AM, JonnyF said:

Even if Starmer was stupid enough to hold a referendum and Britain voted to Rejoin (highly unlikely), it would never happen.

1. Farage would be the next PM.

2. The EU hates us for leaving, and hence the terms of rejoining would be so punitive that even the stupidest of Remainers would realize it was a bad idea.

3. The EU is dying.

Keep dreaming though.

The old Brexiteer victimwhinge howling as usual.

The EU doesn't 'hate you'. There is nothing 'punitive'.

The EU and most of its people look askance at the supplicant basket case the UK has become and the ignorant, idiotic and antisocial behavior its people, like you, exhibits towards its friends and neighbors. It is both sad and amusing to watch. The UK is no longer front page news, not even news most of the time in European journals. I note how much UK news concerns the EU however lol.

You stupidly wasted 40 years and wanted to be a third country and you are now being treated just like that: a common or garden third country. No longer a member of the family, with no more privileges. No more, no less. Outside the EU community. I understand that is unpleasant. I understand you feel 'punished'. I understand your squealing. But it's what you voted for or allowed to happen. It's what you support even now. You have what you deserve. Shameful.

As such you will not be trusted for at least a generation till you finally get your act together, understand that Britannia does not rule the waves or anything else, least of all the EU, and finally joins the rest of the European community in the 21st century as just another country among equals. That's a massive ask I know, but until the country does, the decline continues apace regardless of whichever bozo it puts in charge.

48 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Ridiculous.

What can I say in the face of such powerful arguments?

Scary to see the truth innit?

3 minutes ago, BusyB said:

What can I say in the face of such powerful arguments?

Scary to see the truth innit?

Not at all.

On 1/20/2026 at 9:55 AM, bannork said:

No 1 is still three years away if it ever happens.

2. The EU would love to have us back. Sure conditions would be tougher but it's the Customs Union we really need to join. we could be affiliated like Norway and Switzerland, etc.

3. The EU is getting stronger all the time. Romania joined the Euro the other day. As for Europe generally, the far right parties, so trumpeted by Trump and Vance, are united in their opposition to Trump's madness regarding Greenland.

   Go on Trump, unite Europe like never before.

Sorry, the EU does not want the UK back in its current state. That was quite enough. Noone would waste time negotiating membership with a country that harbors such base animosity towards the community.

There's a generation of hard graft before you'll even be considered again. The kind that Eastern European countries are desperately working on because they know the value of the EU - something barely half the UK even knows, let alone understands. The proof of that can be seen daily in the newspapers. The UK is barely a topic in the EU these days except when it comes to Ukraine or such.

And as I said above, even far too many of those who are well disposed towards the EU still, after all these years of controversy and Brexit itself, have little or no idea what the EU really is or how it works. Case in point customs union. You cannot join the EU customs union unless you are a member of the single market for what should be obvious reasons. But you can form a customs union with the EU. There is a huge difference. And you would probably not be happy with that.

So much work to do and no short cuts I'm afraid. Deeply glad and grateful I have an EU passport.

On 1/20/2026 at 3:55 PM, bannork said:

No 1 is still three years away if it ever happens.

I highly doubt Labour can make it to 2029. They are an absolute shambles. That's why they are having to cancel the upcoming local elections. They would get hammered so they cancel them. How Democratic of them (again!). Starmer is a true tyrant and proves it more and more with each passing day. The most despised PM ever.

On 1/20/2026 at 3:55 PM, bannork said:

2. The EU would love to have us back. Sure conditions would be tougher but it's the Customs Union we really need to join. we could be affiliated like Norway and Switzerland, etc.

They would love to have us back only if they could bend us over in the rejoin deal to "teach us a lesson". It simply wouldn't happen. You're dreaming. We're never going back.

On 1/20/2026 at 3:55 PM, bannork said:

2. The EU is getting stronger all the time. Romania joined the Euro the other day.

That's a bit like me claiming my landlords business is doing great because I let the local enrichers move in rent free and pay them 1000 pounds a month for their food and bills.

On 1/20/2026 at 3:55 PM, bannork said:

2. As for Europe generally, the far right parties, so trumpeted by Trump and Vance, are united in their opposition to Trump's madness regarding Greenland.

   Go on Trump, unite Europe like never before.

Off topic Trump nonsense from the afflicted.

30 minutes ago, BusyB said:

The EU doesn't 'hate you'. There is nothing 'punitive'.

Yes they always negotiate in good faith, don't they...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0eqqxJE7aA

On 1/20/2026 at 9:51 AM, brewsterbudgen said:

Your confidence that Reform will win the next election and Farage will be PM is rather sweet. Unfortunately for you, the election is still at least 3 years away and Reform are plunging in the polls. Britain will never be crazy enough to elect a hard-right government.

It was crazy enough to vote for Brexit but I hope you're right. Maybe enough people will have learned from the experience.

Just now, JonnyF said:

Yes they always negotiate in good faith, don't they...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0eqqxJE7aA

Sorry Johnny, like the EU with the UK, I'm too tired to engage any further with you for now because in my opinion you've demonstratively got a closed, hostile mind.

10 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

I highly doubt Labour can make it to 2029. They are an absolute shambles. That's why they are having to cancel the upcoming local elections. They would get hammered so they cancel them. How Democratic of them (again!). Starmer is a true tyrant and proves it more and more with each passing day. The most despised PM ever.

They would love to have us back only if they could bend us over in the rejoin deal to "teach us a lesson". It simply wouldn't happen. You're dreaming. We're never going back.

That's a bit like me claiming my landlords business is doing great because I let the local enrichers move in rent free and pay them 1000 pounds a month for their food and bills.

Off topic Trump nonsense from the afflicted.

Just seen this.

I rest my case.

2 minutes ago, BusyB said:

Sorry Johnny, like the EU with the UK, I'm too tired to engage any further with you for now because in my opinion you've demonstratively got a closed, hostile mind.

No problem BushyB. It's a wise move, things would only get worse for you as the debate continued. Best you bow out and save face.

5 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

No problem BushyB. It's a wise move, things would only get worse for you as the debate continued. Best you bow out and save face.

I take this as one of your more pleasant and humorous posts.

3 minutes ago, BusyB said:

I take this as one of your more pleasant and humorous posts.

I never kick people when they are down.

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

I highly doubt Labour can make it to 2029. They are an absolute shambles.

What are these doubts based on?

Labour currently has a working majority in the Commons of 167. It is entirely up to the government and no one else if they decide to call an election before 2029.

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

That's why they are having to cancel the upcoming local elections. They would get hammered so they cancel them. How Democratic of them (again!).

I posted one of these links previously in reply to your identical comment in another thread. It is untrue that the government is cancelling the forthcoming local elections.

No point letting facts get the way of misplaced grievance and a sense of victimhood.

Why councils are being abolished and elections cancelled...

The biggest reform of local government in more than 50 years is set to bring major changes to Devon.

https://mhclgmedia.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/20/inaccurate-reporting-about-local-election-high-court-ruling/

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Starmer is a true tyrant and proves it more and more with each passing day. The most despised PM ever.

Hitler was a tyrant in a dictatorship. Stalin was a tyrant in a dictatorship. Starmer is an elected leader of a democracy.

Spot the differences?

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

They would love to have us back only if they could bend us over in the rejoin deal to "teach us a lesson". It simply wouldn't happen. You're dreaming. We're never going back.

Yes, the EU would love to have the UK back and the UK will rejoin the EU at some point. It is inevitable; it is just a question of when, not if.

When it does happen, the terms will be worse than what we had previously. So x number of wasted years in order to get a worse deal. Genius🤦

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

That's a bit like me claiming my landlords business is doing great because I let the local enrichers move in rent free and pay them 1000 pounds a month for their food and bills.

That's a lot like an analogy that makes no sense.

3 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Yes they always negotiate in good faith, don't they...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0eqqxJE7aA

And this video proves what exactly?

That the EU used the problem of how to simultaneously have a border and not have a border on the island of Ireland as leverage during the Brexit negotiations? And?

You 'Leavers' caused the problem. You fix it.

3 hours ago, BusyB said:

Sorry, the EU does not want the UK back in its current state. That was quite enough. Noone would waste time negotiating membership with a country that harbors such base animosity towards the community.

There's a generation of hard graft before you'll even be considered again. The kind that Eastern European countries are desperately working on because they know the value of the EU - something barely half the UK even knows, let alone understands. The proof of that can be seen daily in the newspapers. The UK is barely a topic in the EU these days except when it comes to Ukraine or such.

And as I said above, even far too many of those who are well disposed towards the EU still, after all these years of controversy and Brexit itself, have little or no idea what the EU really is or how it works. Case in point customs union. You cannot join the EU customs union unless you are a member of the single market for what should be obvious reasons. But you can form a customs union with the EU. There is a huge difference. And you would probably not be happy with that.

So much work to do and no short cuts I'm afraid. Deeply glad and grateful I have an EU passport.

I agree that the EU would not want the UK to rejoin if there is a chance that it will do a volte face and leave again shortly afterwards. That situation will have to be resolved before any serious negotiations to rejoin take place.

However, to suggest that the UK's position is analogous to other candidate countries is wrong. The UK is Europe's second biggest economy and is a nuclear power. Our laws are still almost entirely aligned with the EU's and we would be a net contributor to the EU budget. Rejoining, in theory at least, should not be difficult.

In short, it is (almost) as much in the EU's interest for the UK to rejoin as is it the UK's.

3 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Yes they always negotiate in good faith, don't they...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0eqqxJE7aA

Says the guy who sees no problem when Trump bullies UK and imposes economic sanctions on his country! 😅

57 minutes ago, RayC said:

And this video proves what exactly?

That the EU used the problem of how to simultaneously have a border and not have a border on the island of Ireland as leverage during the Brexit negotiations? And?

You 'Leavers' caused the problem. You fix it.

We already fixed it.

The fact you keep crying about it is not my concern.

3 minutes ago, candide said:

Says the guy who sees no problem when Trump bullies UK and imposes economic sanctions on his country! 😅

Fake news.

Thanks for reminding everyone that we got a better tariff deal with the US than if we had remained in the EU though. 😄