Politics · United Kingdom · 17 hrs ago
Burnham says he wants the UK to rejoin the EU in his lifetime
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he wants Britain to rejoin the European Union in his lifetime.
He says the country should have an honest discussion about the effects of Brexit, the 2016 decision to leave the bloc.
Burnham says he is not proposing changes during this Parliament and will not seek to repeat the 2016 referendum.
He has also said he will not break Labour’s 2024 election pledge against joining the EU single market or customs union.
Ahead of a UK-EU summit due on November 20, he wants practical cooperation on trade and immigration, including support for farmers and food manufacturers.
Burnham says the UK lost stronger arrangements for returning people who arrived in small boats after leaving the EU.
His government says it will focus first on the details of a new relationship, while the route to any public mandate remains unclear.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he wants the UK to rejoin the European Union in his lifetime.
He called for an “honest” discussion about Brexit’s impact but said he is not proposing changes during the current Parliament.
Burnham said he would not seek to rerun the 2016 referendum or break Labour’s 2024 election pledge on the EU single market and customs union.
He said he would set out options for a new relationship with the EU later this year.
His comments came ahead of a UK-EU summit due to take place on November 20.
- Who
- UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
- What
- He said he wants the UK to rejoin the European Union in his lifetime and called for discussion of Brexit’s impact.
- When
- October 26, 2026.
- Where
- London; he spoke to ITV and Sky News.
- Why
- He said he wanted an honest discussion about Brexit’s impact and practical steps on issues including economic growth and immigration.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Burnham opened the door to rejoining the EU at his party’s annual conference and said he would set out options for a new relationship later this year.
Burnham discussed Brexit and the UK’s future relationship with the EU in interviews with ITV and Sky News.
A UK-EU summit is due to take place, with Burnham seeking progress on economic growth and illegal immigration.
- Prime minister
- Andy Burnham
- Age
- 56
- EU rejoining goal
- In his lifetime
- Brexit referendum
- Held in 2016
- UK-EU summit
- Due November 20
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What people are saying
I don’t think things have worked out as people said they would
I’m going to lead a discussion on how we make it better
We’re not at that stage yet