Andy Burnham and John Healey appear to be at odds over Brexit (Image: GETTY)
Labour is in chaos over Brexit after John Healey insisted Britain will not rejoin the EU in his lifetime. The Chancellor’s comments come days after Andy Burnham reiterated his desire for the UK to return to Brussels within his lifetime. In an interview with Channel 4, Mr Healey was asked if he agreed with the Prime Minister’s comments. He replied: “I’m older than Andy Burnham. I don’t expect to see that.”
It comes after Mr Burnham told Good Morning Britain earlier this week that he wanted to see the UK back in the EU within his lifetime but would not “move ahead of the public”. Mr Healey also appeared to suggest the economy might not be growing faster if Britain was still in the EU.
He told LBC: “I don’t actually accept that. I mean, it’s been – it’s certain Brexit has certainly hit our level of growth. It’s certainly hit our level of trade.
“But we had a referendum. We’re out of the EU. The challenge for me now is how do we make the best of an economy which this year has proved remarkably resilient. It’s confounded the forecasters.”
The Chancellor’s comments come after the PM told his Cabinet to avoid publicly backing specific options for the UK’s future relationship with the EU.
Mr Burnham is due to set out options for closer ties with Brussels at a joint summit next month.
He has not ruled out a pledge to rejoin the bloc in Labour’s next manifesto.
But he has faced a backlash from Brexiteers after he promised not to “re-run” Brexit arguments when he was standing in the by-election in Leave-voting Makerfield.
Any major change would need to come after the next election as Mr Burnham has pledged to stand by Labour’s 2024 “red lines” on not returning to the single market, customs union or freedom of movement.
Labour in Chaos Over Brexit as John Healey and Andy Burnham at Odds
Labour is facing renewed political tensions over Brexit after disagreements between senior figures John Healey and Andy Burnham exposed divisions within the party about Britain’s future relationship with the European Union. The growing disagreement has raised questions about whether Labour has a clear and united strategy on one of the most controversial issues in modern British politics. While the government has attempted to move beyond the divisions created by the 2016 referendum, Brexit continues to influence debates about economic growth, immigration, trade and Britain’s international position. The latest tensions have placed renewed attention on Healey and Burnham, two prominent Labour politicians whose different perspectives could complicate the party’s efforts to present a consistent message. Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has repeatedly highlighted the economic challenges facing businesses and communities since Britain left the European Union. He has argued that the country needs a more ambitious approach to improving relations with European partners, particularly when it comes to trade, investment and opportunities for economic cooperation. For Burnham, rebuilding closer economic connections with Europe could help address some of the difficulties experienced by British businesses. Many companies have faced additional paperwork, increased costs and complicated regulations when exporting goods to European markets. Smaller businesses, in particular, have sometimes struggled to manage the administrative requirements associated with international trade. Burnham’s position reflects concerns among some Labour supporters that the government should be more willing to reconsider aspects of Britain’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU. However, any move towards closer integration remains politically sensitive. John Healey, meanwhile, represents another important voice within the Labour government. As Defence Secretary, his priorities include national security, Britain’s relationship with European allies and cooperation on international defence challenges. From a government perspective, maintaining political stability and avoiding unnecessary divisions over Brexit are also important considerations. Labour won the 2024 general election after promising to improve relations with the European Union without reversing the central outcome of the referendum. The party has repeatedly ruled out returning to the single market or customs union, arguing instead for practical agreements that can reduce trade barriers and improve cooperation. This approach has created a difficult balancing act. On one hand, businesses and some voters want closer economic ties with Europe. On the other, many Brexit supporters remain strongly opposed to any arrangement they believe would undermine Britain’s decision to leave the EU. The disagreement has therefore become about more than the individual positions of two politicians. It reflects a wider debate within Labour about how far the country should go in rebuilding its European relationship. The economic consequences of Brexit remain an important part of this discussion. British exporters have faced new barriers when selling products into European markets, while employers in sectors such as agriculture, hospitality and manufacturing have raised concerns about labour shortages and recruitment difficulties. Supporters of Brexit, however, argue that leaving the EU has allowed Britain to develop independent trade policies, establish its own regulations and make decisions without being bound by European institutions. They believe that the country should focus on using these freedoms rather than reopening old political arguments. Labour must find a way to address both perspectives while maintaining public confidence. For Burnham, the issue also has an important regional dimension. Greater Manchester has a diverse economy involving manufacturing, technology, financial services and international trade. Businesses in the region depend on reliable access to European markets, investment and skilled workers. Any improvement in the trading relationship could therefore have practical consequences for employers and employees. At the same time, Burnham must recognise that voters across the North of England have different views about Brexit, and many communities supported leaving the EU because they wanted greater political control and economic opportunities. Healey’s position is also influenced by the wider international environment. European cooperation has become increasingly important amid concerns about Russia’s war in Ukraine, NATO security and the future of continental defence. Britain remains closely connected to European countries through intelligence sharing, military partnerships and diplomatic cooperation. Strengthening these relationships does not necessarily require reversing Brexit, but it does demonstrate why constructive engagement with European governments remains essential. The political challenge for Labour is ensuring that disagreements over Brexit do not distract from its wider domestic agenda. The government is already under pressure over the cost of living, NHS waiting lists, housing shortages, immigration and economic growth. Voters want to see improvements in their everyday lives rather than another prolonged argument about the referendum. Nevertheless, avoiding the issue entirely may not be a realistic option. Businesses continue to request practical solutions to trade difficulties, while politicians from different parts of the country are calling for a clearer long-term strategy. Labour must therefore decide how to improve relations with Europe while respecting the political commitments made to voters. The party’s leadership faces the difficult task of balancing economic opportunities with the need to maintain unity. If senior politicians publicly disagree without a coherent explanation, opponents could use those divisions to question the government’s direction. Reform UK and the Conservatives may also attempt to portray closer cooperation with Brussels as evidence that Labour wants to reverse Brexit. Such arguments could become particularly influential in constituencies where the referendum remains a sensitive political issue. Ultimately, the disagreement involving John Healey and Andy Burnham highlights a wider challenge facing Labour: how to move Britain’s relationship with Europe forward without reopening the political divisions of the past. Closer cooperation could offer opportunities for trade, investment and security, but the government must explain clearly what changes it wants and how they would benefit the public. Whether Labour can maintain a united position will be important not only for its political future but also for Britain’s economic and diplomatic relationships over the coming years. Brexit may have formally taken place several years ago, but the debate about its consequences is far from over.