Andy Burnham has said rejoining the European Union is among the options his government could look at to reshape the UK’s long-term relationship with Europe.
During his Labour conference speech on Tuesday, the prime minister said Brexit had caused “more harm than good” and he would look for a new consensus on what Britain’s relationship with the EU should be.
He told the conference: “We will not give Britain the clear path we need into the rest of this century until we decide on a long term relationship with what is still our largest market.
“I cannot say to you truthfully that where we are is good enough. Brexit has done more harm than good.”
Burnham went on to say that at a UK-EU summit later this year he would “lay out to the country what I believe the different options are for Britain’s long term relationship with our European partners.”
This seemed to hint at the possibility that Brexit could be reversed in some form or another.
All options on the table on EU relationship – including ‘going all the way’
Now, Burnham has seemed to confirm that rejoining the EU is an option he and his government will consider.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the Labour leader said he wanted to be clear on “where we want Britain to go in the next decade”.
When he was asked if he wanted the UK to rejoin the EU, something he regularly called for before becoming prime minister, Burnham said he wanted to “look at the options.”
He continued: “We could stay as we are. That’s definitely an option, if people think this is the right place to stay.”
“We could look at what George Osborne has said about a customs union, we could look at what the Liberal Democrats said at their conference about the single market, or we could go all the way.
“So there are clearly options that need to be considered, and we have to look at what is doable and what would be the pros and cons of each.”
But the PM made clear his main aim was to stop the matter of the EU “hanging” over the country.
“I am saying, let’s be clear about where we want Britain to go in the next decade,” he said. “The country cannot have another decade like the one we’ve just had, where we’ve had too much drift, too much division.
“I am very clear, and I will say this bluntly, Brexit has done more harm than good.”
Momentum growing behind reversing Brexit
His comments come after chat about rejoining the EU has gathered momentum in recent months and weeks.
Numerous studies and polls continue to lay bare the devastating economic impact leaving the EU has had on Britain and the dramatic shift in public opinion on Brexit.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called for Labour to put a pledge to rejoin the EU on the party’s next manifesto, an idea Burnham is reportedly edging closer to.
Former prime minister and Labour leader Tony Blair has also recently called for Burnham to put EU membership at the centre of his 10-year plan for Britain.
Andy Burnham Says Rejoining the EU Is an Option for the UK
Andy Burnham has sparked a fresh political debate after suggesting that rejoining the European Union should remain an option for Britain, reopening one of the most divisive questions in modern British politics.
The Labour politician’s comments are likely to generate strong reactions across Westminster, particularly among supporters of Brexit and those who believe Britain should reconsider its decision to leave the European Union.
Since the 2016 referendum, Britain’s relationship with Europe has remained a major political issue. Although successive governments have insisted that Brexit will not simply be reversed, growing economic pressures and concerns about trade have encouraged renewed discussion about closer cooperation with European countries.
Burnham’s intervention is particularly significant because it comes at a time when Labour is attempting to establish its political identity and demonstrate that it is willing to reconsider policies that may no longer serve Britain’s interests.
His comments could also create difficulties for political opponents, especially Nigel Farage and Reform UK, whose political identity has been closely connected to Britain’s departure from the European Union.
Burnham Reopens the Brexit Debate
Burnham’s suggestion that rejoining the EU should remain an option represents a significant intervention in Britain’s ongoing debate about its relationship with Europe.
For many years, politicians have treated the question of EU membership as politically sensitive, partly because of the divisions created by the 2016 referendum.
The decision to leave the European Union was supported by 51.9 per cent of voters, while 48.1 per cent voted to remain.
The result exposed deep divisions across the country, with differences between age groups, regions and political communities.
Since leaving the EU, Britain has faced considerable challenges in adjusting its trading relationship with European partners.
Businesses have raised concerns about additional paperwork, border checks and regulatory requirements, while industries that depend on international trade have experienced new administrative difficulties.
Against this background, Burnham’s suggestion that rejoining should not be ruled out could appeal to voters who believe Brexit has failed to deliver the economic benefits originally promised.
However, it is also likely to provoke criticism from those who believe the referendum result must be respected.
Brexit Continues to Divide British Politics
Britain’s departure from the European Union remains one of the most consequential political decisions of the past decade.
Supporters of Brexit argued that leaving would allow the UK to regain control over its laws, borders and trade policy.
They also promised that Britain would be able to negotiate independent trade agreements and make decisions without being restricted by European institutions.
However, critics warned that leaving the single market and customs union would create economic obstacles and weaken Britain’s influence internationally.
Almost a decade later, arguments about the consequences of Brexit continue.
Businesses have experienced changes to their trading arrangements, while the government has faced pressure to improve cooperation with European partners.
Although Britain remains outside the EU, successive governments have explored opportunities to strengthen relationships in areas such as defence, security, research and trade.
Burnham’s comments therefore arrive at a time when the political conversation is gradually moving beyond the original referendum campaign.
The central question is increasingly becoming whether the current relationship provides sufficient economic and political benefits.
Nigel Farage Faces an Uncomfortable Political Challenge
Perhaps the politician most likely to be concerned by Burnham’s intervention is Nigel Farage.
The Reform UK leader has built much of his political career around opposition to European integration.
He was one of the most prominent figures in the campaign for Brexit and has repeatedly presented leaving the EU as a historic achievement for British democracy.
Farage has consistently argued that Britain should maintain its independence and resist attempts to restore political control to Brussels.
Consequently, any serious discussion about rejoining the European Union creates an ideological challenge for Reform.
If public opinion increasingly moves towards closer European cooperation, Farage could find himself defending a political position that is becoming less popular among some sections of the electorate.
Reform is also likely to argue that politicians should concentrate on domestic problems rather than reopening the Brexit debate.
Farage could portray Burnham’s comments as an attempt to distract voters from issues such as immigration, taxation, housing and public services.
Nevertheless, the suggestion that rejoining should remain an option is likely to place renewed pressure on Reform to explain what Britain’s long-term relationship with Europe should look like.
Economic Concerns Are Driving Renewed Interest in Europe
One of the strongest arguments for reconsidering Britain’s relationship with the EU concerns the economy.
The European Union remains Britain’s largest nearby trading partner and an important market for British businesses.
Leaving the single market introduced additional barriers for companies exporting goods and services to European countries.
Smaller businesses have often found the additional paperwork and regulatory requirements particularly challenging.
Food producers, manufacturers and exporters have also faced changes to customs procedures and administrative arrangements.
Supporters of closer European integration argue that rejoining the single market or eventually the EU could reduce some of these obstacles.
They believe improved access to European markets could encourage investment, strengthen economic growth and create opportunities for British businesses.
However, rejoining the EU would not automatically resolve Britain’s economic problems.
The country would still face challenges involving productivity, housing, public investment, skills shortages and the cost of living.
Any decision to pursue membership would also require complex negotiations with European governments and agreement on the terms of Britain’s return.
These considerations make the issue considerably more complicated than simply reversing the result of the 2016 referendum.
Would British Voters Support Rejoining?
Public opinion on Brexit has changed significantly since the referendum.
Several opinion polls in recent years have suggested that more voters believe leaving the European Union was a mistake than believe it was the correct decision.
However, dissatisfaction with Brexit does not necessarily mean that the same voters would support an immediate return to EU membership.
Some people may prefer closer economic cooperation without restoring full membership.
Others may support rejoining the single market but remain concerned about freedom of movement, financial contributions and the authority of European institutions.
There is also an important difference between supporting closer relations with Europe and actively campaigning for another membership referendum.
Political leaders would therefore need to establish exactly what voters want before making any major commitment.
Burnham’s comments may help encourage that discussion, but they do not necessarily represent an immediate policy commitment to rejoining.
Labour Faces a Difficult Political Balancing Act
For Labour, the issue presents both opportunities and risks.
Many Labour supporters voted Remain in 2016 and believe Brexit has damaged Britain’s economic prospects.
They may welcome Burnham’s willingness to discuss the possibility of returning to the European Union.
However, Labour also has voters who supported Brexit and remain strongly opposed to rejoining.
In many traditionally Labour-supporting communities, the referendum was partly about immigration, national identity and dissatisfaction with the political establishment.
Reopening the question could therefore create tensions within the party.
The leadership would need to balance the economic arguments for closer European integration against the political reality that Brexit remains an emotionally charged subject.
It would also have to explain how any proposed changes would improve living standards rather than simply reopen old political arguments.
Rejoining the EU Would Not Be a Simple Process
Although Burnham has suggested that rejoining should remain an option, returning to the European Union would involve a complicated political and legal process.
Under Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, a country wishing to join must apply for membership and negotiate with existing member states.
Britain would need to meet the relevant membership requirements and secure approval from the European institutions and all EU member countries.
The terms of membership would also need to be negotiated.
It cannot be assumed that Britain would automatically recover all the arrangements it enjoyed before Brexit.
Questions involving financial contributions, regulatory obligations, freedom of movement and the euro would need to be addressed.
Furthermore, the European Union itself has changed since Britain left.
Any future application would take place in a different political and economic environment.
This means that rejoining would require considerable political preparation and broad public support.
Conclusion: Brexit Debate Returns as Burnham Opens the Door to Rejoining
Andy Burnham’s suggestion that rejoining the European Union should remain an option has reopened one of Britain’s most significant political debates.
His comments highlight growing dissatisfaction with the consequences of Brexit and the continuing importance of Britain’s relationship with its European neighbours.
For supporters of closer integration, the possibility of rejoining represents an opportunity to improve trade, strengthen international cooperation and restore Britain’s influence within Europe.
For Brexit supporters, however, reopening the question risks undermining the democratic decision made in 2016.
Nigel Farage and Reform UK are likely to remain firmly opposed to any attempt to return Britain to EU membership, making the issue another potential dividing line between the parties.
Labour, meanwhile, faces the challenge of discussing Britain’s future relationship with Europe without alienating voters who remain committed to Brexit.
Ultimately, Burnham’s intervention does not mean Britain is about to rejoin the European Union. However, it demonstrates that the question is no longer entirely outside mainstream political discussion.
Almost a decade after the referendum, Britain is still debating what Brexit has achieved and whether leaving the EU was the right decision.
The possibility of rejoining may remain politically controversial, but the debate over Britain’s place in Europe is clearly far from over.