Burnham Puts Rejoining EU Back on Table for UK's 10-Year Reset
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 30
Burnham Puts Rejoining EU Back on Table for UK's 10-Year Reset
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 30
Summary
Burnham said rejoining the EU is one of several options he wants examined as the government rethinks Britain's long-term relationship with Europe.
BBC remarks sharpened his stance after Tuesday's Labour conference speech, where he said the current Brexit settlement had done "more harm than good" and blamed it for weaker control over immigration and the economy.
He said ministers could keep the status quo, pursue a customs union, seek single-market ties or "go all the way," with a delayed UK-EU summit later this year set to test what is politically and practically doable.
The shift is his clearest break yet from Labour's 2024 manifesto, which ruled out rejoining the EU, customs union and single market while promising only to "make Brexit work."
Conservatives said Burnham was reopening Brexit-era divisions, setting up a potentially sharp dividing line before the next general election.