UK Mayor Suggests Rejoining EU Among Options for Britain's Future

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has indicated that rejoining the European Union is among the possibilities the United Kingdom could consider to redefine its long-term relationship with Europe. Burnham stated that the current Brexit settlement has been detrimental, causing "more harm than good," and expressed a desire to explore what can be done to repair relations with the bloc.

His comments follow a pledge made during his Labour conference speech to investigate closer ties with the EU, with a delayed summit planned for later this year.

This potential divergence could create a significant political divide leading up to the next general election. Conservatives have accused Labour of seeking to "reopen old wounds by restarting the battles of the Brexit years."

Burnham had previously left the door open to campaigning for a mandate to rejoin the EU in the next general election. During his campaign for the Makerfield by-election, he had promised not to "re-run" Brexit arguments and stated he was "not proposing that the UK considers rejoining the EU."

However, his most recent statements suggest a potential departure from Labour's 2024 election manifesto, which committed to "make Brexit work" while ruling out rejoining the EU's customs union or single market. The previous Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, had aimed for a more limited reset, including aligning with EU food standards, establishing a youth visa deal, and reintegrating British industry with the EU's carbon trading regime.

Sir Keir Starmer's departure from office postponed a summer summit with the EU until later this year. Burnham has also indicated plans to publish a 10-year economic transformation plan for the UK around the same time.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Burnham emphasized the need to clarify Britain's direction over the next decade regarding its EU relationship. When questioned about rejoining the EU, he stated his intention to "look at the options." He acknowledged having previously advocated for such a move within his lifetime, but conceded it "is not necessarily the case that that is now."

Burnham outlined several potential paths, including maintaining the current status quo, considering a customs union as suggested by former Chancellor George Osborne, exploring the Liberal Democrats' proposal for the single market, or pursuing full EU membership. He stressed the need to assess the pros and cons of each option to determine what is achievable.

In his conference speech, Burnham attributed Brexit to a loss of control over immigration and the economy, asserting that the current relationship with the EU is inadequate. He intends to use the rescheduled summit to present various options for the UK's future relationship with Europe and seeks to find consensus on a clear path forward.

In response to Burnham's conference speech, Conservative deputy leader Alex Burghart criticized Labour's economic decisions and accused the party of attempting to reintegrate with the EU through indirect means.