The cabinet replies with “not going back to the past.”

A new petition filed online with Parliament in London has collected more than sufficient signatures to be considered for a debate whether the United Kingdom should re-apply for European Union membership.

As of 15 February, the petition attracted over 117,600 signatures and will close at the end of April.

The author, Robert McMaster, a professor of political economy, believes that [re-]joining the EU would boost Britain’s economy, increase its global influence, improve collaboration and provide stability and freedom.

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“I believe that Brexit hasn't brought any tangible benefit and there is no future prospect of any, that the U.K. has changed its mind and that this should be recognized,” he said, adding that the single market would bring inward investment, frictionless trade and economic growth benefiting industry and consumers alike.

Full membership could also amplify the UK’s voice on the global stage, allowing it to influence E.U. policy and regulations, including trade, security and environment, the professor argued.

Before falling into the attention of legislators, the petition earned a formal response from the cabinet, which gave a negative review to the proposal.

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While it agrees to collaborate with the Brussels and other European capitals on multiple economic and political topics, the government in London underlined that “we are not going back to the arguments of the past; we are not rejoining the single market or customs union and we will not return to freedom of movement.”

The cabinet office’s message also reads, “This is about turning the page – reinvigorating alliances and forging new partnerships with our European friends, rather than reopening the divisions of the past. We will work to improve the U.K.’s trade and investment relationship with the E.U., tearing down unnecessary barriers to trade.”

Although Parliament is required to consider all petitions that receive over 100,000 signatures, there is no guarantee that this one will be debated anytime soon. This is because all signatures must come from British citizens or legal residents of the UK.

However, the petitioning system allows anyone to sign, making it unclear how many signatures are from eligible voters. An interactive map dedicated to the E.U. cause shows that, on average, less than 0.4% of voters in British constituencies signed the petition. 

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