Archive · 30 Sep 2026
Burnham puts EU rejoining among options after Brexit criticism
Andy Burnham says Britain should think carefully about its future relationship with the European Union.
He said leaving the EU has done more harm than good.
He believes Brexit has contributed to a long period of weak economic growth.
Britain could keep its current arrangement with the EU.
It could also join a customs union or return to the single market.
Another option would be to rejoin the EU completely.
Burnham wants the choices judged by what is possible and by their advantages and disadvantages.
Britain and the EU may hold a meeting in November to discuss some smaller agreements.
Andy Burnham said Britain should consider rejoining the European Union among several future relationship options.
He said Brexit had caused “more harm than good” and contributed to a decade of low growth.
Other options include maintaining current arrangements, joining a customs union, or rejoining the single market.
A UK-EU summit is reportedly pencilled in for November 20, although the date is unconfirmed.
Potential summit agreements could cover food standards, youth mobility, and linking emissions-trading systems.
- Who
- Andy Burnham, the UK's prime minister and Labour leader, discussed Britain's future relationship with the European Union.
- What
- Burnham said rejoining the EU should be considered alongside remaining as is, joining a customs union, or rejoining the single market.
- When
- He made the comments on Wednesday after speaking at Labour's annual conference on Tuesday; a UK-EU summit is reportedly pencilled in for November 20.
- Where
- The comments were made in a BBC Radio 4 Today programme interview and at the Labour conference; the potential summit is expected in Brussels.
- Why
- Burnham said Brexit had caused more harm than good, contributed to a decade of low growth, and left Britain needing a long-term relationship with its largest market.
Closer European ties
Current arrangements
Britain's long-term relationship with Europe
Closer European ties
Britain should examine closer ties, including a customs union, rejoining the single market, or ultimately rejoining the European Union.
Current arrangements
Britain could remain under its current post-Brexit arrangements if that is judged to be the right option.
Assessment of Brexit
Closer European ties
Burnham argues Brexit has caused more harm than good and contributed to a decade of low growth.
Current arrangements
The article does not provide a detailed counterargument, but presents maintaining the current relationship as one available option.
- Brexit assessment
- Burnham said Brexit had caused “more harm than good.”
- Future relationship options
- Remaining as is, joining a customs union, rejoining the single market, or rejoining the EU.
- Reported summit date
- November 20, although the date has not been confirmed.
- Potential summit location
- Brussels.
- Potential agreements
- Food and animal safety standards, a youth mobility scheme, and linking emissions-trading systems.
- EU departure timeline
- The UK voted to leave in 2016 and formally left the EU in 2020 after more than four decades of membership.