<p>The Labour stance on the Brexit referendum and its aftermath has been less analysed in recent years than that of their Conservative counterparts. This article examines how the party addressed the dilemma it faced as an anti-Brexit party seeking to regain power. Referring to previous works that mapped the different traditions within the party, it identifies strong elements of continuity in the party’s stance under Keir Starmer, characterised by strategic ambiguity and a blurring of its policy towards the EU, contrasting with the leader’s previously clear anti-Brexit position, which shows a move from euro-enthusiasm to euro-caution. This enabled the party leadership to appeal to both previously Remain and Leave voters in the 2024 general election. Intra-party divisions over Europe, which had characterised previous periods, did not disappear but proved less influential in explaining the party direction than short-term electoral concerns.</p>

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Reaching power through ambiguity? The Labour Party and Brexit 2021–25

  • Pauline Schnapper

摘要

The Labour stance on the Brexit referendum and its aftermath has been less analysed in recent years than that of their Conservative counterparts. This article examines how the party addressed the dilemma it faced as an anti-Brexit party seeking to regain power. Referring to previous works that mapped the different traditions within the party, it identifies strong elements of continuity in the party’s stance under Keir Starmer, characterised by strategic ambiguity and a blurring of its policy towards the EU, contrasting with the leader’s previously clear anti-Brexit position, which shows a move from euro-enthusiasm to euro-caution. This enabled the party leadership to appeal to both previously Remain and Leave voters in the 2024 general election. Intra-party divisions over Europe, which had characterised previous periods, did not disappear but proved less influential in explaining the party direction than short-term electoral concerns.