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Sir Keir Starmer is facing a growing revolt inside Labour after senior MPs warned that any attempt to reverse Brexit would trigger what they described as “civil war”. The row has intensified after two Labour politicians publicly suggested the UK should move closer to Brussels.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said recently that Britain needs “a deeper trading relationship with the EU” to boost economic growth. Days earlier, Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said he hoped the UK would rejoin the EU “in my lifetime”. Their comments alarmed some Labour MPs who say the party cannot risk reopening the Brexit debate.

The Prime Minister has insisted the Government is not planning to rejoin the customs union, but doubts remain among some in Westminster.

Labour MP Dan Carden said: “We hear suggestions that this is being seriously contemplated by some at the very top of the Government.

“Moreover, we hear that it appears to be the aim of people who now have designs on the PM’s job.”

He warned that both Mr Burnham and Mr Streeting had been clear about wanting a closer relationship with Brussels.

He added that joining a customs union would “mean giving up our hard-won national freedoms” and would undermine post-Brexit trade deals with countries such as the US and India.

Mr Carden is one of several Labour MPs urging Sir Keir Starmer to rule out any change in approach.

The issue is particularly sensitive in Labour’s Red Wall seats, where many MPs face pressure from Reform UK.

Labour MP Graham Stringer told the Daily Mail that the party would face widespread anger if it attempted any move towards rejoining EU structures.

“It will lead to civil war inside Labour,” he said. “They would be committing electoral suicide.”

Another Labour MP who wanted to remain anonymous said: “Remainiacs around Starmer may be pushing this but it would cause mayhem in the Labour Party.”

Conservatives have also warned Labour against reviving old arguments.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Government of attempting to “re-open old Brexit wounds” to improve its poll ratings.

She said: “It is not a sign of pragmatism, it is a symptom of Labour’s weakness.”

Mr Streeting has defended his comments, saying: “The best way for us to get more growth into our economy is a deeper trading relationship with the EU. We’ve taken a massive economic hit leaving the European Union.”

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy also pointed to countries such as Turkey, saying they benefit economically from Customs Union membership.

The row comes after the Government announced the UK would rejoin the Erasmus student exchange scheme from 2027. However, Labour insists this does not change its wider Brexit position.