Nigel Farage: “We will never rejoin the EU: Burnham has made a very big political mistake and he’ll have to deal with Meloni…”

Reporting by La Repubblica (IT)Read the original at europe.repubblica.it

Executive Summary

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, spoke after smoking a cigarette at Doncaster Racecourse regarding Brexit and the possibility of rejoining the European Union. Farage expressed determination following recent remarks about the UK rejoining the EU being on the table. He argued that supporters of European integration would need to overcome his opposition if London sought to rejoin. The context involves public opinion polls suggesting 60% of Britons would vote to rejoin the EU, and a discussion arose regarding Andy Burnham’s position and devolution. Farage questioned whether rejoining the EU contradicts the principles of devolution, noting that it represents a transfer of power away from Parliament. Despite these points, he stated that 60% of Britons would rejoin until specific financial and political conditions were addressed, such as the cost of joining or commitments to the euro. Farage indicated he is not contemplating rejoining the EU but suggested that other political dynamics regarding the EU should determine future action.

Facts Only

* Nigel Farage is the leader of Reform UK.
* Farage spoke at Doncaster Racecourse.
* The location, Doncaster, voted 69% to leave the European Union in 2016.
* Farage made remarks suggesting the United Kingdom rejoining the EU is on the table.
* The racecourse city voted 69% to leave the EU in 2016.
* A poll suggested 60% of Britons would vote to rejoin the EU.
* Nigel Farage stated he is not going to contemplate rejoining the EU.
* Farage expressed views on Andy Burnham's position regarding devolution and the EU.
* Farage alleged that Andy Burnham is trying to build a coalition ahead of the next election, possibly with Lib-Dems.

Full Take

The narrative presents a tension between political reality (public sentiment) and ideological consistency (the logic of integration versus sovereignty). Farage’s stance seems rooted in a critique of post-Brexit political shifts, viewing subsequent movements like the push for rejoining as contradictory to the devolutionist ethos he associates with Northern England. The dynamic suggests that while high-level public desire might exist (60% support for rejoining), the practical and philosophical barriers presented by integration—such as the cost or commitment to structures like the euro—are perceived as overwhelming obstacles. Furthermore, Farage’s reaction to Burnham is framed less as a direct political counterpoint and more as an observation of a perceived betrayal of established principles, positioning him as a voice against perceived centralized authority rather than merely a policy opponent. The implication is that shifts in public opinion must be reconciled with deeply held structural beliefs about power distribution, suggesting that the emotional weight of history and local identity remains a powerful counterweight to shifting statistical preferences.
Bridge Questions: If the primary obstacle to rejoining is financial commitment, what framework could logically mitigate those costs for voters? How do regional identities, such as those in the North, factor into the political calculus when considering supranational membership versus devolution? What specific policy shifts related to the euro or Schengen would be necessary to reconcile the stated desire for sovereignty with the practical benefits of integration?

From the original · La Repubblica (IT)

DONCASTER — Nigel Farage is in good spirits after smoking a cigarette. The leader of Reform UK, neck and neck with Labour at the top of the polls, arrives in an electric-blue suit at Doncaster Racecourse, in a city that voted overwhelmingly — 69% —to leave the European Union in 2016.

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