Tony Blair urges UK to work towards rejoining EU within a decade
Tony Blair's call for the UK to work towards rejoining the EU has been covered differently by British and overseas outlets, with UK coverage focused on Labour's internal politics and overseas coverage on wider stakes for the Union.
What happened
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has said Britain should work towards rejoining the European Union within the next decade.3
Blair urged Labour leader Andy Burnham to use his upcoming 10-year plan, due in November, to put EU membership back on the political agenda.3
Blair said any UK return would depend on the EU being on a credible path to reform.4
According to the Financial Times, the prime minister's team is taking soundings on whether the party should move the UK closer to Europe, amid pressure on Burnham over Labour's 'red lines' on the EU; the Sydney Morning Herald separately describes Burnham as a hypothetical future prime minister who 'may well' call a second referendum.12
Where accounts differ
Each account is attributed to who makes it. We do not judge between them.
What is driving the push to reconsider EU membership
The Guardian, citing a poll
A poll suggests a pledge to rejoin the EU could boost Labour's electoral chances.3
The Sydney Morning Herald
A second referendum on EU membership may be needed to save Labour seats and to prevent the breakup of the United Kingdom, framed around three countries reportedly moving to leave the UK, with Burnham described as a possible future prime minister who could call such a vote.2
Andy Burnham's current role
How it's framed
What each perspective puts first, based on headlines and summaries.
| Perspective | How it reads | What it puts first |
|---|---|---|
| British press covering Labour's internal debateEurope | UK-based outlets frame the story around pressure on Andy Burnham and Labour's internal 'red lines' on Europe, with Blair's comments as one factor pushing Burnham to act.13 | pressure on Burnham, Labour's red lines, 10-year plan |
| Brussels-based coverage of EU conditionsEurope | Politico Europe focuses on the conditions Blair attaches to rejoining, emphasising that the EU itself would need to reform.4 | credible path to reform, conditions for rejoining |
| Australian coverage of a possible Brexit reversalOceania | The Sydney Morning Herald's headline and snippet frame a Brexit reversal or second referendum as tied to preventing three unnamed countries from leaving the UK, describing Burnham as a possible future prime minister.2 | three countries reportedly quitting UK, second referendum, hypothetical future PM |
What the coverage leaves out
- None of the outlets reviewed reported a direct response from Andy Burnham or his team to Blair's comments.
- The Sydney Morning Herald's claim that three countries are moving to quit the UK is not corroborated by any other source reviewed, nor is evidence for it provided beyond that report.
- None of the outlets reviewed reported the specific findings or methodology of the poll cited on Labour's electoral chances.
- None of the outlets reviewed reported reaction from EU officials to the prospect of UK re-entry or to Blair's reform conditions.
- None of the outlets reviewed clarify Andy Burnham's current political role; S1 refers only to 'the prime minister's team' and S2 refers to him as a hypothetical future prime minister.
Why it matters
The push comes a decade after the UK voted to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum, with Blair urging Burnham to address the issue in a 10-year plan due in November.3
What to watch
- Andy Burnham's 10-year plan, expected in November, which Blair has urged him to use to address EU membership.
- Whether Labour shifts its stated 'red lines' on the UK's relationship with the EU.
Sources (4)
Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.
Europe
- 1Financial TimesGBPrivate
Andy Burnham under pressure to signal shift on Labour’s EU ‘red lines’
- 3The GuardianGBPrivate
Tony Blair says Britain should work towards rejoining EU in next 10 years
- 4Politico EuropeBEPrivate
Oceania
- 2The Sydney Morning HeraldAUPrivate
As three countries move to quit UK, a Brexit reversal might be its only hope