Former Brexit secretary reveals all 10 years on from referendum | Exclusive interview

The Telegraph The Telegraph — 18min

Ten years on from the Brexit referendum, Sir David Davis has a piece of advice for the Labour leadership contenders who are talking about rejoining the EU.

“The Labour Party will cease to exist if it goes down that route,” says the former Brexit secretary. “It would be bonkers.”

Andy Burnham has made clear he wants Britain to rejoin the EU - though not right now - while Wes Streeting has virtually draped an EU flag around his shoulders in his own attempt to win over Labour MPs.

Sir David, who spent months negotiating with Brussels before resigning over Theresa May’s proposed withdrawal deal, believes rejoiners are making the same mistake that remainers made in 2016 when they failed to listen to the wishes of voters.

“Labour is attempting to win back the red wall,” he says in an interview to mark the tenth anniversary of the referendum. “They will not take kindly to the idea of rejoining, even if they think it's not been a success.

Read more: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/06/23/david-davis-labour-cease-exist-next-leader-rejoin-eu-uk/
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