Andy Burnham says rejoining EU is an option for UK future

Andy Burnham has suggested that rejoining the European Union remains an option for the United Kingdom's future, marking a significant shift in political discourse as the government examines ways to reshape its long-term relationship with Europe. According to reporting from the BBC, the prime minister stated that the existing Brexit settlement has caused "more harm than good" and expressed a desire to determine what is doable in repairing relations. This follows his address at the Labour conference, where he pledged to explore closer ties with the bloc at a delayed summit later this year.

The debate touches upon wide-ranging policy areas, including social care reform and pensions, as detailed by BBC analysis. As a candidate in the Makerfield by-election that propelled his return to Parliament, he had promised not to "re-run" Brexit arguments and said he was "not proposing that the UK considers rejoining the EU". However, his latest comments are the clearest indication yet he could make a decisive break from Labour's 2024 election manifesto, which pledged to "make Brexit work" whilst ruling out rejoining either its customs union or single market.

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Predecessor Sir Keir Starmer had instead tried to carve out a more limited reset in relations, including aligning with EU food standards, a youth visa deal and relinking British industry to the EU's carbon trading regime. Sir Keir's departure from office delayed a summer summit with the EU until later this year, at which time Burnham has also said he wants to publish a 10-year plan to transform the UK economy. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Burnham outlined a spectrum of possibilities for the nation's trajectory.

"We could stay as we are. That's definitely an option, if people think this is the right place to stay. We could look at what [former Chancellor] George Osborne has said about a customs union, we could look at what the Liberal Democrats said at their conference about the single market, or we could go all the way."

Andy Burnham, via BBC

Opposition reactions were swift and varied across the political spectrum. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said his party has put forward "concrete plans to boost our economy, strengthen our defences and cut people's taxes by joining the single market and a customs union", urging Burnham to begin negotiations immediately. Meanwhile, Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice accused Burnham of "trying to sneak us back into Brussels via the back door", arguing that the Labour government cannot deliver growth or control migration.

Conservative figures also voiced strong opposition. Conservative deputy leader Alex Burghart accused Labour of trying to "reopen old wounds by restarting the battles of the Brexit years", stating that the government cannot pin the blame for their disastrous economic decisions on a vote that happened over a decade ago.

As the debate continues to unfold, attention turns to the rescheduled summit with the European Union later this year. The government is expected to use the platform to clarify its position and present distinct pathways for the UK's international alignment over the coming decade.