Time to Scrap the Red Lines on Europe

Aim

So much has changed since 2016. It’s time to change our relationship with Europe, too. Chip in to the campaign.

Today, there are more reasons than ever to be part of Europe. 

The world has changed since 2016, our politics has changed - and the views of the British people have changed, too.

It’s been 10 years since Britain voted to leave the EU, and data shows that a majority of Brits think that this was a mistake.* Brexit had its chance, and it failed.

Now, it’s time to look ahead and choose the path that’s best for our country - the path of cooperation with Europe. Help step up the campaign to make this happen.

In an unstable world, with war in Middle East and Ukraine, and an unpredictable Donald Trump in the White House, we have to stand with our friends and allies in Europe, to protect our security and stand up for democracy, human rights, and our other shared values.

And in times of economic difficulty, with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, returning to the European single market would provide a boost to British businesses, create jobs, generate growth, and keep down costs on the everyday items we all need. 

With the rise of Reform and divisive political movements, based on fear and negativity, our country desperately needs an alternative, more hopeful vision, of a future where we build our prosperity and success by working with our neighbours, not against them. 

The Brexit vote was 10 years ago - the world has changed since then, as have the views of millions of British people who can see that leaving the EU hasn’t improved their lives in any shape or form. 

Labour's self-imposed red lines on our relationship with Europe are - no single market, no customs union and no freedom of movement. Politically, things are changing fast. 

In recent weeks, we’ve seen more and more discussion in the media about the serious possibility of rejoining the EU. Finally, it’s no longer a taboo issue. The government is speaking much more positively about rebuilding ties with Europe, and is now actually acknowledging the harm that being outside the EU is causing us. 

There have been some important steps forward - like rejoining the Erasmus+ programme, to give more opportunities to young people. But they need to go much further. And, with the next UK-EU Summit around the corner, the Government has the perfect opportunity to do so.

Trying to get our economy back on track while remaining outside the single market is like trying to win a tennis match with one hand tied behind your back. It just won’t work.

During the general election, Labour outlined its ‘red lines’ on Europe - ruling out joining the single market or customs union, or indeed any discussion about freedom of movement. But the current strategy of making smaller deals with the EU in areas like exporting plants and foods, doesn’t come close to addressing the huge economic disadvantage of being outside the EU. While it will improve things for certain businesses and industries, most of us won’t see any practical benefit from these very specific deals.

It’s time for Labour to have the courage to drop its red lines. We need bold action on Europe - not just ‘good vibes’ and tinkering around the edges. 

And with talk of a possible new Prime Minister, it’s even more urgent that we get our message out now - and make sure that whoever enters Number 10 next knows how crucial it is for our country to start the process of returning to Europe.

With growing momentum to the discussions around Europe, and the 10-year anniversary of the 2016 referendum coming up next month, this is a critical time for the pro-EU campaign. And that’s why we’re asking for your help, so we can make sure we grab the opportunity with both hands.

With the donations we raise through this campaign, we will:

• Use the media attention around the anniversary to put forward a new, positive vision of the UK’s future as part of Europe - one that people all over the country can get behind
• Launch a new report outlining the pathway to EU membership over the next 10 years, designed to kickstart political discussions
• Bring together a stellar line-up of politicians and thought leaders to discuss our European future at a flagship event in London in June
• Mobilise our grassroots movement to spread the EU message far and wide in local communities during June and beyond
• Ramp up pressure on the government to ditch its red lines and start conversations around joining the single market at the next UK-EU Summit in July
• Build our Business with Europe network to enable business leaders to join the conversation, and put forward the economic case for greater EU cooperation
• Use the APPG on Europe to grow our cross-party network of pro-European MPs and Peers 

The journey to claim our rightful place in Europe won’t be driven by politicians. It will come from a mass movement of people across the country, speaking out and showing our leaders that this is the right direction for our country.

That’s why fundraising campaigns like these are so important - with thousands of people chipping in, whatever they’re able to, they demonstrate the strength of feeling that so many of us have about the need for a much closer relationship with Europe.  

For many of us, being pro-European is about our identity and values. We are Europeans, with shared culture, history, and links that go across borders. 

It’s also about the many practical benefits that being part of Europe can bring us - like making it easier for British businesses to import and export goods, making it easier for the NHS to hire the best staff and get medicines at the best price, keeping food and prices affordable, or allowing us to travel across Europe hassle-free. 

The European Movement is home to everyone who believes we need to work more closely with the rest of Europe. We’re cross-party, bringing together people from all political parties, and none. We work in every part of the UK, with partner organisations in Wales and Scotland. And we’re grassroots, powered by our thousands of members and supporters from across the UK 

Together, we are building the long-term, large-scale campaign needed to lead our country into the EU again. And that starts now - with scaling up our campaign activities this summer, pushing the government to drop their red lines, opening up a pathway to join the single market and, in time, to full membership of the EU.

Sources:

* The latest polling shows that 58% think that the UK was wrong to leave the EU (Statista), and that 55% support rejoining the EU (YouGov).

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 17th June 2026 at 12:00am