The European Green party has called on the United Kingdom to consider rejoining the European Union, labeling Brexit a "political and economic failure." In a declaration adopted at the movement's annual leadership meeting in Brussels on Friday, the party stated that "the United Kingdom's future lies in the European Union." The text was approved by a large majority of European green parties, marking the first time a European political party has officially invited the UK to rejoin the bloc.
Triggering the Debate
Vula Tsetsi, co-chair of the European Greens, emphasized the need to initiate a conversation about the UK's return. "Somebody has to trigger the debate," she said in an interview. "The main discussion belongs first and foremost to the democratic debate in the United Kingdom, and we don't want to take that place, but we would like to trigger that debate as a European political family." Tsetsi added that while other political families may join, "for us the moment is now."
The intervention comes after Keir Starmer's Labour Party suffered heavy losses in local elections, with Nigel Farage's Reform party making gains, while the Greens appeared to struggle in converting increased votes into seats. The declaration on reversing Brexit was part of a broader statement by European Green party leaders calling for energy independence and action against the far-right.
Declaration Details
The adopted text reads: "Brexit has been a political and economic failure with lasting negative consequences for people in the United Kingdom and across Europe. The European Green family is clear: the United Kingdom's future lies in the European Union. We stand ready to welcome the UK back alongside other countries when it chooses this path." The declaration obliges green parties across Europe, such as Germany's Die Grünen and France's Les Écologistes, to reflect this position in national debates and policies.
Delegates from 30 European green parties gathered in Brussels to approve the text, including representatives from non-EU member states. British green parties were absent due to local and parliamentary elections but were allowed to take a position remotely.
UK Green Party Support
Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, has described Brexit as "a sledgehammer to an already weak economy" and expressed strong support for eventually rejoining the EU. He discussed the rejoin declaration with Tsetsi and co-chair Ciarán Cuffe at a meeting in Manchester on 1 May. A spokesperson for the Green Party of England and Wales stated: "Brexit has been a disaster, and we have always said we should rejoin the EU when the political circumstances are right."
Political Implications
The European Greens' move could intensify debate in the UK about closer economic ties with the EU, especially amid a looming downturn caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran, Donald Trump's criticisms of Keir Starmer, and heightened awareness of Russia as a security threat. However, the Greens are represented in few EU governments, and no other European political parties are expected to follow suit immediately.
The influence of green parties across Europe has waned in recent years, as highlighted by losses in the 2024 European Parliament elections and their ejection from Germany's governing coalition. Nevertheless, Tsetsi insisted that the Greens' fortunes are rising again, citing recent election results in Denmark, votes in the UK, and mayoral contests across Europe—Greens and affiliated parties won mayoralties in Riga and Copenhagen in 2025. "This is a moment where Greens are picking up and are able to influence the political debate," she argued.
Tsetsi brushed aside suggestions that the UK had been a difficult member state, saying times have changed. "History shows that Brexit was a mistake, and both sides lost a lot. I am very confident that we will be able to learn from the mistakes and build a stronger European Union together." She stressed that the political situation has evolved since the 2016 Brexit referendum: "This is a historical moment again. Ten years after Brexit took place, Europe needs to be reinforced."
