Petition Hold a referendum on re-joining the European Union
I want the government to hold a referendum on whether the UK should Rejoin the European Union.
More details
I agree with the government that our country needs growth to get the funding needed to help fix our public services and meet our housing needs.
Rejoining the EU, some research says, would grow the economy by far more than other methods and more quickly.
There is a generation who couldn't vote in 2016 and we think now want their say.
So let's test this issue, with a referendum.
16,509 signatures
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100,000 signatures required to be considered for a debate in Parliament
Government responded
This response was given on 22 April 2025
The Government was elected on a manifesto that made clear the UK would not rejoin the EU. We are focused on a strategic alliance with the EU to make the UK safer, more secure and more prosperous.
Read the response in full
Since taking office, this Government has been working to strengthen the relationship with our European friends. A closer, more cooperative relationship with the EU is in the UK’s national interest. It will grow the economy, boost living standards, protect our borders and keep the UK safe.
This is about turning the page – reinvigorating alliances and forging new partnerships with our European friends, rather than reopening the divisions of the past. A stronger UK-EU relationship means a stronger Europe.
The Withdrawal Agreement, including the Windsor Framework, and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement underpin relations between the EU and the UK. We are committed to the full and faithful implementation of these agreements, however we believe we can go further to strengthen that relationship.
In particular, we want to work closely with the EU to address wider global challenges including economic headwinds, geopolitical competition, irregular migration, climate change, energy prices, and of course the security of our citizens, which pose fundamental challenges to the shared values of the UK and EU and provide the strategic driver for stronger cooperation.
The manifesto upon which this Government was elected set out that we would seek to remove barriers to trade with the EU. Our markets are highly interconnected, so close cooperation can support growth and deliver investment. The Minister for European Union Relations is taking forward discussions on these areas with his counterpart Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič.
The UK will welcome EU leaders to the UK for the first UK-EU Leaders’ Summit on 19 May. This will provide an opportunity to make further progress on areas which will deliver tangible benefits for the people of the UK.
There will be issues which are difficult to resolve, as well as areas on which we will stand firm. We have been clear we are not going back to the arguments of the past; we will not return to freedom of movement, the Customs Union or the Single Market. Although we voted to leave the EU, our role as key allies and trading partners remains, and this Government is ambitious, has clear priorities and wants to move forward.
Cabinet Office
At 100,000 signatures...
At 100,000 signatures, this petition will be considered for debate in Parliament