Farage's Joy as Streeting Betrays Brexit: 'North Lost to Labour Forever'

Wes Streeting's Bold Move and Its Political Implications

Wes Streeting, the former Health Secretary, has taken a significant step in the ongoing Labour leadership race by explicitly calling for Britain to rejoin the European Union. This move has created tension with Andy Burnham, the Manchester mayor, who is vying to retain his seat in Makerfield against Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. The local area saw 65% of voters support Brexit in the 2016 referendum, making it a challenging battleground for any pro-Remain candidate.

With outgoing Labour MP Josh Simons having secured a narrow majority of just 5,300, Burnham will not benefit from any attention drawn to his anti-Brexit stance. For Streeting to have a chance at winning the leadership, he must focus on southern, Remain-supporting voters who are increasingly shifting towards the Green Party and Liberal Democrats. However, he views pro-Brexit Red Wall seats in the North and Midlands as a lost cause, a luxury Burnham does not have if he wants to win Makerfield and return to the Commons.

Government sources, not aligned with any leadership camp, have expressed frustration over Streeting’s intervention. One source stated, "Wes claims to be a unifying force, but he has done this for his pure, selfish ambition." Streeting has confirmed his intention to run for the Labour leadership, asserting that leaving the EU was a catastrophic mistake. He emphasized that Britain’s future lies with Europe and suggested the possibility of rejoining the EU.

After Streeting’s announcement, Farage commented, "The North will be lost to Labour for ever." A Whitehall source noted that local election voters sent a clear message of frustration with the political system they feel no longer serves them. They criticized Streeting for reopening a divisive debate and suggesting the next general election could become a de facto second referendum. This, they argued, is not leadership but a desperate attempt at self-interest and a betrayal of Labour values.

Another source remarked that Streeting’s focus on this issue uniquely divides Britain and that his actions reflect a desire to impose five years of misery on the country. They described his approach as identity politics and a culture war, which many people have long moved past.

Streeting addressed supporters at a fringe Labour event, stating that any move toward rejoining the EU would require public mandate. He acknowledged the democratic choice to leave the EU and emphasized the need for future manifestos to seek a new mandate.

He also expressed his willingness to campaign for Burnham in the by-election, saying, "We've got to make sure we deliver the change people wanted to see, that we go into the next election with an equally bold and ambitious plan." Streeting framed his campaign as a contest of ideas rather than personalities, stating, "We need a proper contest where all candidates can put their best foot forward."

He acknowledged the threat posed by Farage, noting that for the first time in Labour’s history, their biggest opponents are not the Conservatives but Farage and Reform. He highlighted the existential threat from Scottish and Welsh nationalism, as well as English nationalism represented by Farage and Reform, which he believes threatens the values and ideals of the country.

Progressives, he said, understand this threat and want Labour to confront it, but they are increasingly losing faith in the party’s ability to rise to the challenge.