Burnham Denies Confusion Over EU Stance, Vows to Improve Brexit Deal
The Prime Minister asserts consistency in his position, aiming to renegotiate aspects of the UK's relationship with the bloc.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has asserted that there is "no confusion at all" regarding his stance on the European Union, stating it is his "responsibility" to improve the UK's current post-Brexit deal. He plans to present options for a reset of relations with the bloc on issues such as youth mobility, food, drink, and energy at a summit in Brussels on November 20.
Burnham faced criticism from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch during Prime Minister's Questions, who accused him of failing to "respect" the 2016 Brexit vote and creating confusion. Badenoch questioned whether Burnham intended to hold a referendum on rejoining the EU, referencing a recent suggestion he made about potentially calling a referendum on the UK's return to EU freedom of movement, a point that No. 10 appeared to backtrack on shortly after.
"There is no confusion at all," Burnham told MPs. "The government has a collectively agreed position, which I have set out today. It is entirely consistent with everything that I've said, including in the by-election. The red lines in our manifesto, including on freedom of movement, will stay in place firmly for the whole of this Parliament."
Badenoch had previously accused Burnham of speaking without thinking, particularly regarding freedom of movement during the week of the Budget announcement. She recalled the parliamentary and national paralysis experienced in 2017 when the current Brexit deal was being debated, describing the period as "miserable, regardless of which side of the debate you were on." Badenoch urged against revisiting such divisions.
Burnham acknowledged that the country had suffered from low growth and insufficient control on migration as a result of a "harder Brexit than what was promised" in the 2016 referendum. He reiterated his focus on securing a "better deal for Britain."