Michael Marra has declared that returning to the European Union should stand as a “long-term objective” for Britain, marking a clear break from his own party’s national leadership.
The Scottish Labour leader chose his first major address since assuming the role to champion what he called “solidarity, not separation.” Speaking at the University of Edinburgh, Marra conceded that rejoining the bloc “won’t be simple” and acknowledged “serious questions” around currency and border arrangements would need resolution.
“The UK should re-join the European Union and Scottish Labour will work to make that happen,” Marra told supporters. “I don’t pretend it will happen quickly. But I believe we should set it as a long-term objective for the UK and that Scotland should lead the change in making that happen.”
Marra admitted his position extends beyond Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s current stance. The UK government has ruled out rejoining the EU within this parliament, though Burnham has signaled interest in exploring closer ties with Europe and travels to Brussels next week to sign a series of cooperation agreements.
“Re-joining the EU is not the current policy of the UK Labour Party and not the current policy of the UK government,” Marra said. “The UK Labour Party isn’t there yet. This is a distinct Scottish Labour position.”
His predecessor, Anas Sarwar, had pursued warmer relations with Brussels after Brexit but stopped short of advocating full membership. Marra’s call therefore represents a significant shift for the Scottish party.
The North East MSP argued that dismantling trade barriers with European nations would help “Scottish businesses grow, attract investment and create better-paid jobs,” while also easing price pressures and generating revenue for public services. He conceded membership “won’t solve every problem we have” but insisted that ignoring the opportunity amounts to abandoning any serious growth agenda.
Other party leaders responded quickly. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton welcomed the development, noting his party has long pushed for a “realistic roadmap back to Europe” starting with the single market and a customs union. Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay agreed Scotland belongs in the EU but called Labour’s position hypocritical given its resistance to an independence referendum. Reform UK Scotland’s Max Bannerman countered that growth does not require EU membership.
Marra’s speech lands just days before Burnham’s Brussels visit, where the prime minister expects to finalize deals on food and farming trade barriers, emissions trading cooperation, and youth mobility programs between the UK and EU member states.
