A storm of controversy has erupted over speculation that Prime Minister Keir Starmer might call a fresh Brexit referendum amid escalating global tensions. Tom McTague of the New Statesman suggested that if Starmer announced a snap vote on rejoining the EU, the British public might opt to return to the bloc.

In a viral clip, McTague claimed that the "vast majority" of the Labour party, including its MPs, view Brexit as a mistake and favor rejoining the EU. He painted a scenario where Starmer could call a referendum to counteract the perceived recklessness of leaders like Trump and Putin. According to McTague, the chance of a pro-EU outcome is "fairly high" based on current polling data.

These remarks have sparked lively debate across social media platforms. Some view the idea as a feasible political move, given increasing dissatisfaction with the Brexit outcome, while others dismiss it as unrealistic and potentially destabilizing.

The mere suggestion of a new referendum has reignited passions on both sides of the Brexit divide. Proponents argue that considering a return could safeguard the UK against unpredictable global leadership. Critics, however, label the idea as "bonkers," warning it could plunge the country back into division and uncertainty.

With the debate raging online, the public remains divided on whether a new referendum is a plausible or wise move. Meanwhile, Starmer has yet to comment on the speculation, leaving many to wonder if the idea holds any real traction.

Key Takeaways:

• Speculation abounds over Starmer possibly calling a new Brexit referendum.

• Social media buzzes with debate over returning to the EU amid global tensions.

• Public opinion remains sharply divided on the potential repercussions.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from source 2026-01-23

 

 

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If only. I don't think he has the guts to do it.

Gawd, someone sort this prck out already. We haven’t even had a Brexit yet! The Conservatives did not deliver it and we are still hanging onto the EU’s coattails. Go back in now and along with being highly embarrassing and expensive (being one of the VERY FEW net contributors), Britain would not have the power of decision that it once had.

23 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

If only. I don't think he has the guts to do it.

He certainly has the hatred of Britain though.

Desperate men can do crazy things. This could be the deflection he needs.

I wouldn't rule it out even though Starmer ruled it out prior to the election. He isn't known for his honesty.

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

He certainly has the hatred of Britain though.

Desperate men can do crazy things. This could be the deflection he needs.

I wouldn't rule it out even though Starmer ruled it out prior to the election. He isn't known for his honesty.

It's ridiculous nonsense to think that someone who hated the country could become PM but then why let the 'ridiculous' get in the way.

4 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Gawd, someone sort this prck out already. We haven’t even had a Brexit yet! The Conservatives did not deliver it and we are still hanging onto the EU’s coattails. Go back in now and along with being highly embarrassing and expensive (being one of the VERY FEW net contributors), Britain would not have the power of decision that it once had.

What does your Brexit look like in practical terms? What policies should have been implemented/ not implemented by the various governments since we left?

On 1/24/2026 at 8:19 AM, brewsterbudgen said:

If only. I don't think he has the guts to do it.

Absolutely, but it would certainly be interesting if he did?

You can't have Brexit referendum after already exiting. At best he can have Brentrance referendum, which is a bit moot point. Shouldn't it be EU having a referendum whether they want the Brits back?

Then again, it's not without a precedent... Texas has done it before around 1860, although that wasn't recognised by the US, if memory serves right...

Why not? It would no be crazier than Trump's Greenland gig. There have been unexpected developments of late, like the US turning out being not such a good friend of the UK after all, the Russian threat and the necessity of a European nuclear deterrent etc.

I suggest a pre-refendum first, asking "should the UK have a Bentrance referendum"? This would set the bar higher.

7 minutes ago, JackGats said:

Why not? It would no be crazier than Trump's Greenland gig. There have been unexpected developments of late, like the US turning out being not such a good friend of the UK after all, the Russian threat and the necessity of a European nuclear deterrent etc.

I suggest a pre-refendum first, asking "should the UK have a Bentrance referendum"? This would set the bar higher.

A referendum should have been in their manifesto of they planned to have one. That's what the Tories did.

But what do you expect from a tyrantlike Starmer who cancels elections when he knows he is going to get battered. Hardly a beacon of democracy.

I don't see holding a referendum as an issue. It is a democratic method of deciding an important step. Just get a red bus and the number 350 million on it to remind people how they were duped before.

Another good reason to live in the LOS and avoid having to see or hear Starmer on the news/radio every day

I don't think it's a bad idea.

Firstly, this government is moving dangerously close to re-joining anyway, just without the benefit of getting a say in any EU decision making, because they aren't actually a member.

Secondly, now the voters are in a good position to judge if Brexit was good or bad for them personally. Everyone has an opinion on that and a lot has been happening in the world, maybe it is time to let them have the final say.

The electorate voted for the Labour Party not for Starmer, the electorate voted for Reform because of Farage, they are a 1 trick pony, take Farage out the equation and Reform would collapse. Take Starmer out of the Labour Party and there are plenty available new leaders.

Everything has changed.

Mark Carney's speech told us how and why.

It's now imperative smaller countries band together for mutual protection and stronger negotiation.

With this change, a referendum on rejoining the EU is probably justified.

He will probably hold one just to goad people into posting hurty words on social media. So he can lock them up.Along with the thousands he already locked up. The man's a. Tw*&

The British demonstrated complete stupidity when they left the EU. Some got confused about what it was about because Cameron didn’t address the fact that people like Farage turned it into an immigration issue which it never was. None had any idea of the reality of what would happen, Johnson certainly didn’t, and just made pie in the sky statements about the advantages that never materialised other than prices increasing and generally turning into a massive clusterphuk. It would be the smart option for so many reasons to consider rejoining but unfortunately Farage and his party have gained more popularity, based on immigration just like his orange faced moronic friend in the US, and the British are too stupid to learn from the mistake they made the first time.

Brexit was an obvious disaster, as shown by the fact the pound dropped by over 10% overnight. As for immigration - we swapped EU migrants, who had some semblance of right and wrong, for the flotsam and Jetsam of the developing world after Brexit. I guess most brexiteers would be unable to give an example of any company who benefitted from Brexit.

As for voting for it, 48% didn't. It is amazing how many fall for charisma, Bull<deleted> and lies. Oh sorry, I forgot about the USA!

I doubt that there will be a referendum there will be very little point anyway. We will, to all intents and purposes, be back "in" the EU by 2030 anyway.

I hope they do I would vote to rejoin whether they would have us back is another matter as far as I can see there has been no advantages to leaving only disadvantages.

The most democratic way to do it is to put plans for a referendum in their manifesto at the next General Election.

That would be great news, but I doubt that he will. I’d love to see how the Brexiteer’s sell the Brexit dream now that we all are living the Brexit reality. Would be fun to watch.

Since Brexit I'm worse off my children grandchildren great-grandchildren and the country are worse off, and illegal immigration has gone up so where are the advantages of Brexit.

Sorry I forgot the blue passport.

It's a fact we are European our closest trading partners are in the EU and more UK citizens go to visit EU countries or for a holiday every year than all the other countries in the world combined.

I live on the South West of coast of England France is a short ferry trip away EU countries are a short cheap flight away from local airports and like it or not the UK is no longer the major power it once was.

To me Brexit has been a self inflicted disaster and every time I see Farage's ugly mug I'm reminded of it.

On 1/25/2026 at 4:09 AM, RayC said:

What does your Brexit look like in practical terms? What policies should have been implemented/ not implemented by the various governments since we left?

Are you really expecting a coherent reply? Brexiters never had any project.

2 hours ago, candide said:

Are you really expecting a coherent reply? Brexiters never had any project.

Of course not and I agree. It's a case of 'same old, same old'.

Every time the failure of Brexit to deliver on its' promises is raised it is met by the same old excuses: 'Brexit wasn't done right', 'Brexit hasn't happened yet', etc. Lazy non-answers.

When pressed on what the 'real' Brexit should be, there is usually deathly silence.

Brexit was a idea, but totally lacking a plan for it. And no-one has ever explained how it could work. There was an assumption that the EU would surrender everything UK asked for. When negotiations started, David Davies turned up with about 4 pages of items to be discussed; Barnier had a couple of heavy volumes of issues. Absolutely abysmal planning. But that was Brexit, everything you ever wanted, but no plan and no understanding of the implications of leaving the EU would mean.