Politics · United Kingdom · 1 hr ago
Burnham seeks closer UK ties with EU ahead of November summit
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham wants closer ties with the European Union and says keeping the current relationship is not enough.
He spoke to Parliament ahead of a UK-EU summit scheduled for 20 November in Brussels.
The sides are expected to advance planned agreements, including on food and drink trade and emissions trading.
Burnham also wants deeper cooperation on migration, and another account says the proposals include allowing more young people to live, work and study abroad.
The talks aim to improve cooperation after the UK left the EU in 2020, following the 2016 Brexit referendum.
Burnham has recently raised the possibility of the UK returning to the EU, but says the public would decide on any long-term change.
The immediate next step is the summit, where both sides will seek agreements before any wider discussion about the relationship.
Andy Burnham said the UK should pursue closer ties with the European Union and seek new post-Brexit agreements.
The UK and EU announced a summit in Brussels for 20 November, where they will discuss trade, energy, youth mobility and immigration.
Burnham said closer cooperation could support economic growth and help address the effects of Brexit.
He said Labour’s current commitments against rejoining the single market, customs union or freedom of movement would remain in place until the next election.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Burnham of weakening the deal the UK signed with the EU.
- Who
- UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and the European Union.
- What
- Burnham plans to seek closer ties and new agreements with the EU. The two sides will hold a summit.
- When
- The summit is scheduled for 20 November.
- Where
- Brussels, Belgium.
- Why
- Burnham said stronger cooperation could support economic growth, control immigration and strengthen security.
Andy Burnham
Kemi Badenoch
Closer EU ties
Andy Burnham
Burnham says the UK should pursue new agreements and discuss options for its long-term relationship with the EU.
Kemi Badenoch
Badenoch says Burnham is unpicking the deal the UK signed with the EU and will not secure a better one.
Negotiating position
Andy Burnham
Burnham says the public will have the final say and that he wants a pragmatic approach.
Kemi Badenoch
Badenoch says Burnham has already revealed his negotiating hand.
Burnham told Labour’s annual conference that Brexit had done more harm than good.
Burnham said in an interview that Russia had interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum.
Burnham told MPs he would seek closer ties with the EU, and the UK and EU announced a summit in Brussels.
The UK and EU are scheduled to hold their summit in Brussels.
- Summit date
- 20 November
- Summit location
- Brussels
- UK prime minister
- Andy Burnham
- Opposition leader
- Kemi Badenoch
- Potential areas for agreements
- Food and drink, energy, youth mobility and immigration
- Potential economic gain
- The equivalent of £10bn per year by 2040, Burnham claimed
What people are saying
the status quo is not good enough.
I believe we should then set up a serious dialogue about the different options for our relationship in the long term.
public opinion currently supports a pragmatic approach like the one I am suggesting
He is not going to get a better deal.
Sources
The Guardian view on Burnham’s Brexit reset: overdue, but proceed with care | Editorial
Burnham: Britische Beziehungen zur EU 'nicht gut genug'
Burnham to push for new post-Brexit deals at EU summit
Premiê britânico reacende debate sobre brexit e diz esperar acordo com União Europeia no próximo mês
UK and EU to hold a summit in November after Burnham accuses Russia of meddling in European politics
UK PM Andy Burnham vows to renegotiate post-Brexit trade deal with EU
Burnham to use key UK-EU summit next month to seek new post-Brexit deals
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