PM's Brexit Remarks Spark Confusion, Downing Street Clarifies

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has faced accusations of "Brexit hypocrisy" following comments suggesting a potential return to free movement with the European Union. The remarks, made during recent interviews, have prompted a clarification from Downing Street, stating that the Prime Minister is not proposing a return to free movement.

Burnham previously expressed that the free movement of people across borders should not be revived, having been "defeated at the ballot box" in 2016. However, he recently initiated an "honest conversation" about the merits of reviving freedom of movement as part of a new UK-EU relationship. He suggested that immigration patterns have changed since the pre-Brexit era and that the current situation is "more difficult."

Burnham indicated that discussions on a new relationship with Brussels, to be outlined at an upcoming UK-EU summit, could include options such as membership of the single market and customs union, or even rejoining the EU. He also suggested that a referendum would be necessary to revive free movement, stating he would "never move ahead of the British public when it comes to Brexit."

In a series of contradictory statements, a Downing Street spokesman later clarified that the Prime Minister "isn't proposing a return to freedom of movement or any option." The spokesman added that the government is "not making any assumptions about substance or process at this stage" and that discussions would cover what kind of "long-term relationship with Europe is best for Britain."

This incident marks the second time in a fortnight that Downing Street has been required to clarify the Prime Minister's remarks on Brexit. Earlier in the month, the Prime Minister had suggested that the 2016 referendum result may have been influenced by Russia, a claim that was later softened by his spokesperson.

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, criticized Burnham's apparent shift in stance, calling it "hypocrisy and insincerity." Farage stated, "If Open Borders Burnham wants an election on open borders and Brexit, I say bring it on."

Meanwhile, figures such as London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan welcomed the Prime Minister's willingness to discuss free movement and potentially rejoining a "reformed" EU. Stella Creasy, chairwoman of the Labour Movement for Europe, also supported the idea of a "grown-up conversation about what EU freedom of movement actually means."

Burnham's past statements on free movement, unearthed by the Daily Mail, include remarks from December 2016 where he stated, "The status quo – full free movement – was defeated at the ballot box, so it is not an option." He also argued that free movement was used to "undermine skilled wages" and was "not working for the more deprived parts of our country."

Separately, the Prime Minister has also been forced to row back on comments suggesting Russian interference in the Brexit vote. Initially stating that there was clear evidence of Russian interference, his spokesman later clarified that while Russia may have sought to influence the referendum, they did not believe they succeeded.