Starmer warns against ‘looking backwards’ to Brexit after rivals back UK’s return to EU

Speaking at the G7 summit, prime minister says he stands by Labour’s manifesto pledge not to rejoin bloc

The UK and the European Union should not waste time “looking backwards” to Brexit, Keir Starmer said on Wednesday, as he comes under pressure to reconsider rejoining the EU.

The prime minister reaffirmed his government’s manifesto commitment to not re-enter the bloc, but said there had been “real progress” with the relationship, which was “slowly but surely building”.

Starmer’s potential leadership rival Andy Burnham said last September he would like to see the UK rejoin the EU in his lifetime .

Wes Streeting, the former health secretary and another likely leadership contender, said in a speech last month that he would like to see the UK back in the bloc and called for a “new special relationship” with the EU.

When asked by reporters at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains if he would express a similar desire to rejoin the bloc, Starmer said he remained committed to “a clear manifesto commitment in terms of not rejoining the EU”.

He added: “That’s why we’ve gone for the closer relationship that we’re building. We’re slowly but surely building with the EU.”

On Tuesday, Starmer confirmed that the UK and EU would hold a “reset” summit on 22 July.