UK leadership hopeful Streeting calls Brexit a 'catastrophic mistake'

Published on 17/05/2026 - 13:15 GMT+2

Former British wellness caput Wes Streeting has labelled the UK's determination to permission the European Union a "catastrophic mistake" arsenic helium launches his bid to go the country's adjacent premier minister.

Streeting, who discontinue his Cabinet presumption earlier this month, has openly called for Keir Starmer to resign arsenic leader, and told reporters connected Saturday that helium would basal successful immoderate enactment race.

Speaking astatine the Labour Party's Progress conference, Streeting besides took purpose astatine Brexit.

"At the halfway are 3 large important choices we person to marque arsenic a state that tin assistance america regain our consciousness of progress," helium told the audience.

"First, leaving the European Union was a catastrophic mistake," helium said. "It's near america little wealthy, little almighty and little successful power than astatine immoderate constituent earlier the concern revolution."

Later successful his speech, helium called for the UK to rejoin the bloc.

"We ‌need a caller peculiar narration with the EU, due to the fact that Britain's aboriginal lies with Europe, and 1 day, 1 day, backmost successful the European Union," helium said.

The UK voted to permission the EU successful 2016 pursuing a divisive referendum run spearheaded by the erstwhile Conservative premier curate Boris Johnson, alongside broader enactment from Nigel Farage, the existent person of the Reform UK party.

The determination to permission has been backmost nether the spotlight successful caller months arsenic the UK has looked to determination person to Europe amid uncertainty implicit its narration with US President Donald Trump.

Streeting's comments travel arsenic Starmer faces expanding unit pursuing dense losses for Labour and gains for Reform successful past week's section elections.