The key facts

  • Michael Marra, who became leader of Scottish Labour in September, called for reversing Brexit
  • He described returning to the EU as a long-term goal, with Scotland playing a leading role in the process
  • The office of First Minister Andy Burnham previously clarified that a return of freedom of movement is not being proposed

Call to reverse Brexit

Michael Marra, the new leader of the Scottish Labour Party, on Tuesday called on the UK government to reverse Brexit and return the country to the European Union. According to the Scottish newspaper The National, citing his speech, this was Marra's first major speech in the new post, which he took up in September.

A long-term goal, not a quick step

“It is in Scotland's interests and in the interests of the whole United Kingdom for Britain to return to the European Union,” Marra said at an event at the University of Edinburgh. At the same time, he cautioned that he did not expect a quick result: in his words, returning to the EU should be enshrined as a long-term goal for the country, and Scotland should lead this process.

Context: the freedom of movement dispute and the Brussels summit

The statement came amid an intensified debate in the UK over relations with the EU. Last month, the office of First Minister Andy Burnham clarified his position after he called for an “honest discussion” about the possible return of freedom of movement with the European Union: an official Downing Street spokesperson stressed that the First Minister was proposing neither a return of freedom of movement nor any specific option. The comments came ahead of the second annual EU–UK summit since the country left the union, which is to take place in Brussels on 20 November. Earlier, Burnham said he aims to secure better terms for the country at the summit.