Politics · United Kingdom · 1 hr ago
Neil Kinnock says Andy Burnham wants Britain to rejoin the EU
Neil Kinnock says Prime Minister Andy Burnham wants Britain to rejoin the EU.
Kinnock, a former Labour leader and one of Burnham’s political mentors, made the claim in an interview with an Italian newspaper.
Burnham has said he wants to renegotiate the UK’s relationship with the EU, but has not clearly said that rejoining is his goal.
When asked about rejoining in Parliament, he told a Conservative MP that the question was getting ahead of itself.
Kinnock says Burnham’s aim is to restore EU membership, and argues that closer ties matter economically, politically, culturally and for security.
Kinnock also says Burnham has not changed his pro-European views, but chose not to make Europe a focus during a recent by-election campaign.
The prime minister’s office is expected to clarify Burnham’s position, which may differ from Kinnock’s account.
Neil Kinnock says he believes Andy Burnham wants to take the UK back into the European Union.
Kinnock said Burnham’s objective in changing the UK’s relationship with the EU is to rejoin.
Burnham did not confirm that aim when questioned by MPs, saying the question was “getting way ahead of himself”.
Kinnock said Burnham had not changed direction and had always been a committed pro-European.
Kinnock made the comments in an interview with Italian newspaper la Repubblica.
- Who
- Neil Kinnock said Andy Burnham wants the UK to rejoin the European Union.
- What
- Kinnock claims Burnham’s objective in changing the UK’s relationship with the EU is to rejoin.
- When
- Kinnock’s interview was reported on 13 October 2026. Burnham addressed MPs the previous day.
- Where
- The interview was with la Repubblica, an Italian newspaper. Burnham spoke to MPs.
- Why
- Kinnock said restoring what he called normality in Europe was vital economically, politically, culturally and for security.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Burnham was described as prime minister and attended a long statement to MPs about his planned renegotiation of Britain’s relationship with the EU.
Burnham was evasive when asked whether he wanted a future Labour-led government to rejoin the EU.
The Guardian reported Kinnock’s comments in an interview with la Repubblica.
- Speaker
- Neil Kinnock, former Labour leader
- Subject
- Andy Burnham, prime minister
- Claim
- Kinnock says Burnham’s objective is for the UK to rejoin the EU
- Interview outlet
- la Repubblica
- Report date
- 13 October 2026
What people are saying
Andy makes the declaration of his determination to change the relationship, and it’s obvious that his objective is to join again.
Yes, sure, sure, sure. His commitment is authentic.
Andy’s not changed direction. He’s always been a committed pro-European.
getting way ahead of himself
Sources
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