Sir Keir Starmer with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (Image: Getty)
The notion that Sir Keir Starmer could hold a new Brexit referendum amid rising global tensions has sparked debate online. Tom McTague, editor-in-chief of the New Statesman, said if the Prime Minister was to call a snap referendum on EU membership, there was a good chance the British public would vote to return to the bloc.
In a clip published on the New Statesman’s Instagram page, McTague said the “vast majority” of the Labour party and its MPs “think Brexit was a mistake and that we should be back in the European Union”.
He continued: “Imagine a scenario in which Keir Starmer comes out tomorrow, makes a speech and says, ‘in seven weeks’ time, we’re now having a snap referendum on rejoining the EU to defend ourselves from reckless Trump and reckless Vladimir Putin’.
READ MORE: Keir Starmer in huge Chagos Islands deal U-turn after furious Trump backlash
READ MORE: ‘Keir Starmer’s days could be numbered – but one thing could save him’
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)
“What are the chances that the country would vote to go back in? Fairly high, right? Fairly high if you look at the polls.”
The point was discussed on social media, with many debating whether this was really possible.
One user on X called it “bonkers”, saying: “1. The Brexit vote was nearly 10 years ago, let it go.
“2. No democratic mandate to call a referendum.
“3. 7 weeks is nowhere near enough time to organise a referendum, decide what terms it’s held on and get it through parliament, etc.
Another said “unlikely”, while a third said: “Yes. Why not do something that would immediately unite a divided right and remind every Leave voter why they voted against Labour in 2019? Genius.”
A fourth said “nonsense”, while a fifth said: “Not a chance.”
However, one X user suggested a referendum wasn’t even required. They said: “I don’t think referendum is needed, he needs to rejoin as national emergency.”
Commenting on the New Statesman’s video, one person said “Labour are too weak to even do what they believe”, while another simply wrote: “No.”
Others supported the concept, with one user writing: “Then, let’s do it!!”
Another said: “Go for it, Britain!”
The New Statesman is often seen by many as left-leaning and pro-European.
It describes itself on its website as “the leading progressive political and cultural magazine in the United Kingdom”.
The UK voted to leave the EU by 52% to 48% in a referendum in June 2016.
