Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is calling for a strategic shift in the United Kingdom's relationship with the European Union, arguing that the country should work toward rejoining the bloc over the next ten years. In a new paper published by the Tony Blair Institute, titled 'A Path to Rejoining a Reformed Europe,' Blair suggests that the UK must be prepared to accept the free movement of people and commit to financial contributions as necessary conditions for membership.

Blair’s intervention is intended to influence current political discourse, specifically urging Labour figures like Andy Burnham to reconsider the party's current reluctance to revisit the 2016 referendum results. The proposal aims to put the question of EU membership back on the national agenda as the tenth anniversary of the original vote approaches. While the report frames this as a long-term goal, it acknowledges that re-entry would require significant policy concessions that have previously been points of contention in British politics. The Guardian reports that this move adds pressure on Labour leadership to clarify their stance on the UK's future relationship with Europe, though the current political consensus remains largely focused on navigating the existing post-Brexit framework rather than pursuing a return to the union.