Sadiq Khan has called on the Labour Party to adopt a clear pledge to rejoin the European Union ahead of the next UK general election, intensifying debate over Britain’s long-term relationship with the bloc. In remarks that diverge from the current government line, the London mayor said rejoining the EU was ultimately “inevitable” and argued that steps towards closer economic integration should begin before voters next go to the polls.

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In an interview with the Italian newspaper la Repubblica, Khan said the UK should seek to rejoin both the EU customs union and single market within the current parliamentary term, which is expected to run until 2029.

Push for closer ties with Europe

He pointed to what he described as the economic, social and cultural consequences of Brexit, adding that more recent global pressures — including US tariffs and the war involving Iran — had compounded the cost-of-living challenges facing households.

“The facts have changed. The evidence has changed,” Khan said, suggesting that the UK’s long-term trajectory would lead back towards EU membership.

However, he stopped short of explicitly stating whether such a move would require another public referendum.

Government rejects shift

Downing Street has repeatedly ruled out rejoining either the customs union or the single market, maintaining that the government’s position on Brexit remains unchanged.

Khan’s intervention drew swift criticism from political opponents. A spokesperson for the Conservative Party said the comments highlighted divisions within Labour, arguing that Prime Minister Keir Starmer was “in office but not in power”.

The statement also referenced other senior Labour figures, including Angela Rayner, suggesting policymaking was being driven by multiple voices within the party.

Wider political debate

Khan also voiced support for reconsidering aspects of the government’s proposed asylum measures, aligning himself with other Labour figures who have raised concerns about stricter migration policies.

His comments come amid broader political disagreement over Brexit’s long-term impact. Critics across parties have argued that leaving the EU has harmed the UK economy, while supporters continue to back independence from European institutions.

John Major recently said Brexit had failed to deliver on key promises, though he added that full re-entry to the EU was unlikely in the near term.

Other political voices have taken varied positions. The Green Party has expressed support for eventual rejoining, while Reform UK has said it would oppose any move to re-enter European economic structures.

Long-term outlook uncertain

Khan’s remarks highlight growing debate over whether the UK should revisit its post-Brexit arrangements, particularly as economic pressures and geopolitical tensions evolve.

While there is no immediate shift in government policy, the issue is likely to remain a point of contention in the run-up to the next general election, with differing visions emerging across the political spectrum.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 19 March 2026

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Khan should concentrate on the woeful state of London and try to fix that. Make an effort to clear the rampant failings of Britain's capital before dipping his toe into international politics.

Focus on the knife crime and the rape gangs in London Sadiq.

Geopolitics is well above your pay grade and intelligence level.

30 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Focus on the knife crime and the rape gangs in London Sadiq.

Geopolitics is well above your pay grade and intelligence level.

Glad to hear you consider yourself qualified. Maybe get on the ballot next election

3 hours ago, philipsharpe said:

Khan should concentrate on the woeful state of London and try to fix that. Make an effort to clear the rampant failings of Britain's capital before dipping his toe into international politics.

I was in London twice in the last month, it didn’t seem at all woeful to me.

I had a fabulous time.

8 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I was in London twice in the last month, it didn’t seem at all woeful to me.

I had a fabulous time.

Over at Christmas, going back May 6 (if Emirates is/are flying)......absolutely loved ever minute......friendly, lively, relaxed.

If I had the money it would be in my top three of places to live.

2 hours ago, CallumWK said:

Glad to hear you consider yourself qualified. Maybe get on the ballot next election

Wouldn't be seen dead in London.

Unless I got my iPhone out on Oxford Street of course.

7 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I was in London twice in the last month, it didn’t seem at all woeful to me.

I had a fabulous time.

Did you drop by to see all the regulars at the food bank ?

9 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Did you drop by to see all the regulars at the food bank ?

No, I was enjoying a sports event followed by beers in a London pub garden (sitting outside in short sleeves in glorious weather) on the first occasion and shopping followed by dinner out with old friends on the second.

14 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Wouldn't be seen dead in London.

Unless I got my iPhone out on Oxford Street of course.

That’s not a loss to London.

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

No, I was enjoying a sports event followed by beers in a London pub garden (sitting outside in short sleeves in glorious weather) on the first occasion and shopping followed by dinner out with old friends on the second.

Up until a few days ago, it was rainning everyday in London everyday this year .

Rain everyday .

Grey and miserable the whole year

3 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

That’s not a loss to London.

Actually it would be given my spending habits when there.

We don't all buy a miniature bottle of Hock at Co-Op and swig it on a park bench.

On 3/20/2026 at 8:49 AM, philipsharpe said:

Khan should concentrate on the woeful state of London and try to fix that. Make an effort to clear the rampant failings of Britain's capital before dipping his toe into international politics.

I think it's in London's interest that the UK rejoins the EU. So he's acting in the interest of London.

40 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Actually it would be given my spending habits when there.

We don't all buy a miniature bottle of Hock at Co-Op and swig it on a park bench.

Why do you spend so much money (and time?) in a place that you so clearly abhor?

2 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Up until a few days ago, it was rainning everyday in London everyday this year .

Rain everyday .

Grey and miserable the whole year

It certainly wasn’t raining when I was sitting in a London pub beer garden enjoying a few pints of the good stuff.

But then I don’t walk around with a cloud permanently over my head.

46 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Actually it would be given my spending habits when there.

We don't all buy a miniature bottle of Hock at Co-Op and swig it on a park bench.

Rockefeller speaks.

4 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It certainly wasn’t raining when I was sitting in a London pub beer garden enjoying a few pints of the good stuff.

But then I don’t walk around with a cloud permanently over my head.

You are amazing, the whole of London ws cold and wet....................apart from the pub garden that you chose to sit in .

The sun shone on your pub garden, whilst the rest of London sat inside .

I spent the WHOLE month in London and I can tell you which days were not rainning , becuse I hang my washing out on non rainning days .

Did your Pub have a heater ?

It hasnt been warn enough to just wear a T-shirt yet this year in London

21 hours ago, RayC said:

Why do you spend so much money (and time?) in a place that you so clearly abhor?

Time? Our UK traders are based there.

Money? Hospitality.

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Time? Our UK traders are based there.

Money? Hospitality.

UK traders are based in other places than London and hospitality is available throughout the UK so the question remains, "Why do you spend so much money and time in a place (London) that you so clearly abhor?"

25 minutes ago, RayC said:

UK traders are based in other places than London and hospitality is available throughout the UK so the question remains, "Why do you spend so much money and time in a place (London) that you so clearly abhor?"

Ray Ray Ray. Don't embarrass yourself.

OUR UK traders are based in London. They are the link between the Thai manufacturers and the UK retailers. Middle men essentially. I'm not talking about a market trader selling fruit and veg out the back of a white van.

What do you want me to do? Tell them to move to Cornwall so I dont get stabbed by some "road man" on Oxford Street?

17 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Ray Ray Ray. Don't embarrass yourself.

OUR UK traders are based in London. They are the link between the Thai manufacturers and the UK retailers. Middle men essentially. I'm not talking about a market trader selling fruit and veg out the back of a white van.

What do you want me to do? Tell them to move to Cornwall so I dont get stabbed by some "road man" on Oxford Street?

My dear Jonny, I am genuinely concerned for your welfare. You seem to be awfully forgetful nowadays. Don't you remember writing this: "Actually it would be (a loss to London) given MY spending habits when there". (My caps and parentheses).

MY is not usually interchangable with OUR. In this case, the former implies individual personal spending, not collective spending on behalf of the company (OUR). It is ambiguous at best: I do hope that you are more precise when drawing up contracts.

Given that we have known each other - albeit remotely - for a number of years now, I'd be grateful for a heads-up (which I'll pass on to the Mayor) if you ever decide to withdraw your largesse from London: OUR great city will obviously need to make provisions to ensure that our £618bn economy - 2023 estimated value of London's economy - can survive the shock.

On 3/21/2026 at 2:37 AM, Chomper Higgot said:

It certainly wasn’t raining when I was sitting in a London pub beer garden enjoying a few pints of the good stuff.

Suppose you spent the weekend sunbathing in Aberdeens costa del sol ?

Scuba diving in the Great Glasgow barrier reef ?

22 hours ago, RayC said:

My dear Jonny, I am genuinely concerned for your welfare. You seem to be awfully forgetful nowadays. Don't you remember writing this: "Actually it would be (a loss to London) given MY spending habits when there". (My caps and parentheses).

MY is not usually interchangable with OUR. In this case, the former implies individual personal spending, not collective spending on behalf of the company (OUR). It is ambiguous at best: I do hope that you are more precise when drawing up contracts.

Is that the best you've got? Yes i spend the money. The fact that the majority of it is reimbursed later does not mean that I did not spend it. "I" spent "THEIR" money (and some of my own on gifts etc.). Not complicated even for you Ray.

If you're going to try to wriggle out of an argument with pedantry at least do a bit better than that. 😀

22 hours ago, RayC said:

Given that we have known each other - albeit remotely - for a number of years now, I'd be grateful for a heads-up (which I'll pass on to the Mayor) if you ever decide to withdraw your largesse from London: OUR great city will obviously need to make provisions to ensure that our £618bn economy - 2023 estimated value of London's economy - can survive the shock.

Presumably you also think voting is a waste of time since yours only represents 0.00000345% of those cast? Smart logic. 😄

46 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Is that the best you've got? Yes i spend the money. The fact that the majority of it is reimbursed later does not mean that I did not spend it. "I" spent "THEIR" money (and some of my own on gifts etc.). Not complicated even for you Ray.

If you're going to try to wriggle out of an argument with pedantry at least do a bit better than that. 😀

Presumably you also think voting is a waste of time since yours only represents 0.00000345% of those cast? Smart logic. 😄

But if you weren't there, your company would simply find someone else to spend THEIR money in London on THEIR behalf, so actually there wouldn't be any loss of revenue to London unless, of course, the only reason your company uses a London-based organisation is because of your deep affection for our fair city, and/or you are so indispensable that your company couldn't survive without you. (This also assumes that your company's spending in London is significant enough to be noticed).

Even by your standards of avoidance, introducing a completely unrelated, illogical argument about the value of an individual vote within the aggregated whole is desperate.

Personally I welcome any spending that benefits London's economy, but I very much doubt that the withdrawal of your personal expenditure would cause us any problem although, as I say, every little helps.

17 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Suppose you spent the weekend sunbathing in Aberdeens costa del sol ?

Scuba diving in the Great Glasgow barrier reef ?

Higgot has an anecdote to backup every point (often with a different nationality, sex or age depending on the point he/she is making).

He must spend about 250 days a year on aeroplanes given the fact he's personally been in the country of discussion a few days prior and can therefore report on the "real situation" from the ground.

He never lets the truth get in the way of a good yarn. Gotta love him/her. He even has his own weather. 😄