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EU Membership Referendum: Impact on the UK
24 February 2026
Lead MP
Stephen Gethins
Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
SNP
Responding Minister
Chris Ward
Tags
Migrants & BordersEconomyBrexitBusiness & Trade
Word Count: 9532
Other Contributors: 28
At a Glance
Stephen Gethins raised concerns about eu membership referendum: impact on the uk in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Gethins called on the government to address the United Kingdom Internal Market Act's threat to devolution and to explain why Canada can join defence procurement schemes but the UK cannot. He urged political parties to support rejoining the EU or at least moving closer to it.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Stephen Gethins argued that the UK has experienced a decade of economic decline, isolation, and insecurity since leaving the EU. He cited £90 billion in lost tax revenues and an increase in small boat crossings due to the end of the Dublin regulation. Additionally, he highlighted issues with trade deals failing to compensate for losses and the impact on devolution.
Al Pinkerton
Lib Dem
Surrey Heath
He discussed the negative economic impact of Brexit, citing GDP loss estimates from the National Bureau of Economic Research. He emphasized the importance of a UK-EU customs union to rebuild economic partnership and support British businesses.
Alison Bennett
Lib Dem
Mid Sussex
Bennett raised concerns about UK citizens missing out on opportunities abroad due to Brexit compared to those with Irish passports.
Ben Coleman
Lab
Chelsea and Fulham
The loss of £90 billion a year in tax revenue is a clear cost of Brexit. Tackling red tape introduced by Brexit is crucial for growth. The country needs to repair damage caused by leaving the EU and welcome the reset towards closer relations with the European Union.
Carla Lockhart
DUP
Upper Bann
The EU is a failing entity, and the UK left at the right time. The problems in Northern Ireland are due to the Government's capitulation and failure to accept the democratic outcome of leaving the EU.
Catherine West
Lab
Hornsey and Friern Barnet
The Government's Brexit promises have not materialised, with no rainbows or unicorns. There is a need for economic common sense to address the social and cultural consequences of leaving the EU. The UK-EU partnership agreement will add £9 billion to the economy, but progress needs acceleration. Support for the creative sector requires specific commitments on touring and visa-free travel.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Jardine corrected misconceptions about the Liberal Democrats' stance on rejoining the EU and argued for a closer relationship with Europe.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
Cambridge was one of the most pro-remain areas in the UK, and Daniel Zeichner expressed pride in his constituency's high remain vote. He noted that the years following Brexit have cost the country dearly, especially in the science and research sector, where relationships were broken and ground lost to other nations.
Danny Beales
Lab
Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Pharmaceutical companies in his constituency face double administration and testing post-Brexit, harming investment and jobs. Concerned about the economic impacts of Brexit.
Gideon Amos
Lib Dem
Taunton and Wellington
Mr Amos raised concerns about non-tariff barriers, noting that businesses in his area face significant costs due to paperwork requirements for cross-border transactions despite the trade and cooperation agreement.
Gordon McKee
Lab
Glasgow South
Asked the Minister for a response on issues related to the debate.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
She expressed concern about the significant economic impact of Brexit, citing a 4% long-term reduction in GDP by the Office for Budget Responsibility. She noted that SMEs have given up exporting to the EU due to red tape and highlighted issues such as higher food prices and reduced regulation.
Helen Maguire
Lib Dem
Epsom and Ewell
She intervened, questioning the current visa travel arrangement between British citizens and EU nationals, suggesting a reciprocal 90-day limit for both parties.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Jim Allister criticised the disrespect shown towards the democratic result of the 2016 referendum. He highlighted how Scottish National Party's desire for independence contradicts their wish to join the EU, suggesting this would lead to increased trade barriers similar to those experienced in Northern Ireland.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon questioned the impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland's businesses, exports and imports, noting that Northern Ireland did not receive the same benefits as other regions post-Brexit. Jim Shannon intervened, noting that Northern Ireland did not get the Brexit it voted for and that the peace process was undermined.
Liam Conlon
Lab
Beckenham and Penge
Mr Conlon highlighted the significant impact Brexit has had on young people in his constituency, noting a YouGov poll where over 75% of 18 to 24-year-olds thought Brexit was a mistake. He mentioned university students who are unable to study abroad due to increased costs and restrictions.
Mike Wood
Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Over 70% of voters in his constituency voted for Brexit. While acknowledging the challenges, he argues that attributing every economic issue to Brexit is simplistic. He cites UK GDP growth since leaving the EU as being comparable to Italy's and better than France and Germany.
Pippa Heylings
Lib Dem
South Cambridgeshire
She discussed the economic impact of Brexit in South Cambridgeshire, noting a £90 billion annual loss to public finances. She also raised concerns about security and environmental protections being weakened since leaving the EU.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
She stressed the need to rebuild relationships post-Brexit and move towards a customs union and single market, aiming for full EU membership again after a manifesto commitment and referendum.
Rosie Duffield
Ind
Canterbury
Ms Duffield criticised the Government's portrayal of post-Brexit benefits, stating that her constituency has suffered economically from increased bureaucracy in trade with EU neighbours. She emphasised Canterbury's deep ties to France and highlighted issues such as paperwork for oyster imports.
Rosie Wrighting
Lab
Kettering
Rosie Wrighting requested an intervention from Jim Allister, but no further details were provided in the transcript. Ms Wrighting interjected, recalling her experience working in retail during Brexit and the uncertainties faced by businesses at that time. She supported Ms Duffield's call for certainty through a UK-EU reset.
Roz Savage
Lib Dem
South Cotswolds
She briefly interjected to ask for an intervention, but no further content was provided.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
He criticized Brexiteers for their promises of economic improvement and highlighted the importance of immigrants in the NHS, emphasizing the need to work closely with trading partners such as the European Union.
Sorcha Eastwood
Alliance
Lagan Valley
Eastwood highlighted the lack of European Social Fund replacements for Northern Ireland since leaving the EU, describing it as a regrettable legacy. She discussed how Brexit affected Northern Ireland, noting it caused division and identity issues within her constituency. She emphasised that a simple referendum solution would not address the complex situation in Northern Ireland.
Stella Creasy
Lab Co-op
Walthamstow
She criticised the previous government's Brexit approach for causing economic damage, including a loss of jobs and trade with Europe. She called for closer ties with Europe, referencing the deal with Switzerland as an example.
Torcuil Crichton
Lab
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Crichton challenged the SNP's commitment to unions, questioning their spending priorities in previous by-elections compared to Brexit campaigns.
Uma Kumaran
Lab
Stratford and Bow
Asked to give way but no specific contribution was made in the provided transcript.
Warinder Juss
Lab
Wolverhampton West
Warinder Juss intervened to point out that most businesses at a Chamber of Commerce meeting discussed the adverse effects of Brexit, referencing the National Bureau of Economic Research's estimate that the UK economy is 6% to 8% smaller due to Brexit.
Yuan Yang
Lab
Earley and Woodley
He highlighted the economic impacts of Brexit on small and medium-sized enterprises. He requested updates from the Minister regarding a sanitary and phytosanitary veterinary agreement with the EU, which could reduce food import prices by 3-6%.
Government Response
Chris Ward
Government Response
Chris Ward thanked Stephen Gethins for securing the debate, reflecting on the significance of the Brexit referendum and its impact on political choices in the UK over the past decade. He highlighted challenges to domestic reforms and reshaped views on economic and trading relationships, security ties, diplomatic power, and bonds within the United Kingdom. Ward discussed the Labour Government's mandate to establish a new framework for UK-EU relations, including security partnerships, SPS agreements, access to the EU electricity market, and rejoining Erasmus+. The Minister mentioned that over 100,000 young people will benefit from rejoining Erasmus+, with aims for agreements to be in place by the first half of 2027.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.