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.
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
The debate over Britain’s future relationship with the European Union has returned to the centre of British politics after Prime Minister Andy Burnham suggested that the United Kingdom could eventually rejoin the EU. His comments represent a significant development in Labour’s approach to Brexit and raise the possibility that Britain may reconsider one of the most consequential political decisions in its modern history.
Speaking after the Labour Party conference in September 2026, Burnham said that Brexit had caused “more harm than good” and argued that the country could no longer avoid discussing its long-term relationship with Europe. He indicated that the government would examine several possible arrangements, ranging from maintaining the existing Brexit settlement to restoring full EU membership.
Brexit Has Not Delivered What Was Promised
One of the main reasons behind Burnham’s comments is his belief that Brexit has failed to deliver the economic and political benefits promised by its supporters during the 2016 referendum campaign.
When British voters decided to leave the European Union, supporters of Brexit promised greater national sovereignty, stronger control over immigration and new opportunities for international trade. They argued that Britain would be able to establish its own economic policies and negotiate trade agreements with countries around the world.
However, almost a decade after the referendum, the economic consequences remain controversial. British businesses have faced additional administrative requirements when trading with European markets, while customs procedures and regulatory differences have increased costs for some exporters.
Burnham believes that these problems have weakened Britain’s economic position and made it more difficult for the country to achieve sustainable growth.
He has also questioned whether Brexit has actually improved immigration control. In his view, leaving the EU has reduced Britain’s ability to cooperate with European countries on migration enforcement, information sharing and the return of individuals who have no legal right to remain in the country.
His argument challenges one of the central promises made by Brexit supporters: that leaving the EU would give Britain greater control over its borders.
Rejoining the EU Is One of Several Options
Burnham has not announced an immediate plan to take Britain back into the European Union. Instead, he wants the government to examine different possibilities before deciding which arrangement would best serve the country’s long-term interests.
He has identified several potential approaches:
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Maintaining the current relationship: Britain could continue operating outside the EU under its existing post-Brexit arrangements.
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Joining a customs union: This could reduce trade barriers and improve the movement of goods between Britain and European countries.
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Returning to the Single Market: This would provide closer economic integration but require Britain to accept important European regulations and freedom of movement arrangements.
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Full EU membership: Britain could eventually apply to rejoin the European Union and regain its position as a member state.
Burnham has described these possibilities as options that deserve serious examination. He has said that ministers must consider what is politically and legally achievable, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
Why Rejoining Could Benefit Britain
Supporters of EU membership argue that returning to the European Union could provide considerable economic advantages.
Before Brexit, Britain benefited from access to the Single Market, which allowed businesses to trade across member states with fewer regulatory and administrative barriers. Rejoining could help restore these opportunities and make Britain a more attractive destination for international investment.
British manufacturers, financial institutions, agricultural businesses and service providers could benefit from closer integration with European markets.
There could also be advantages for education and scientific research. European cooperation programmes provide opportunities for universities, researchers and students to work together across national borders.
Furthermore, EU membership could strengthen Britain’s influence in international affairs. As a major European economy and an important military power, Britain previously played a significant role in shaping European policies on trade, security, environmental protection and international diplomacy.
Rejoining could restore that influence and strengthen cooperation with neighbouring countries at a time when Europe faces serious geopolitical challenges.
Nevertheless, membership would also involve obligations. Britain would need to follow relevant EU regulations, contribute to the European budget and accept the principle of freedom of movement. These issues would require careful political consideration.
Burnham Wants the British Public to Decide
One of the most important aspects of Burnham’s position is his insistence that he will not impose his personal preference on the British public.
Speaking to ITV’s Good Morning Britain on 26 October 2026, he said that he wanted to see Britain rejoin the EU during his lifetime but was not proposing membership during the current Parliament.
He stated: “I am not going to move ahead of the public. I am not going to dictate in terms of my own opinions here.”
This distinction is politically important. Although Burnham has openly expressed support for eventual EU membership, he recognises that Brexit remains a sensitive issue, particularly in communities that voted strongly to leave in 2016.
He has also ruled out immediately restoring freedom of movement without public consent. His position suggests that any future decision about Britain’s European relationship must be accompanied by a wider national debate.
Political Opposition from Reform UK
Burnham’s comments are likely to create further tensions between Labour and Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage.
Reform has consistently defended Brexit and argued that Britain should retain its independence from European political institutions. Farage has built much of his political career around opposition to EU membership, portraying Brexit as an important victory for national sovereignty and democratic accountability.
For Reform, any suggestion that Britain should rejoin the EU provides an opportunity to criticise Labour for potentially reversing the outcome of the 2016 referendum.
The Conservative Party may also oppose a return to membership, arguing that Britain should focus on strengthening its existing international trade relationships rather than reopening the Brexit debate.
However, Burnham appears willing to challenge these arguments by insisting that the country must evaluate Brexit based on its actual consequences rather than political promises made a decade ago.
The European Union Must Also Agree
Even if Britain eventually decides that it wants to rejoin the European Union, the process would not be straightforward.
Under Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, a country seeking membership must apply and satisfy the necessary political, economic and legal requirements.
The application would require approval from EU institutions and unanimous agreement among existing member states.
Britain would also need to negotiate new membership terms. It could not automatically recover all the special arrangements it previously enjoyed, including its budget rebate and certain opt-outs.
European governments would also want assurances that Britain was genuinely committed to long-term membership and would not repeat the political uncertainty that led to Brexit.
Therefore, rejoining would be a lengthy diplomatic and constitutional process rather than a decision that could be implemented immediately.
Conclusion
Andy Burnham’s comments represent an important shift in Britain’s political debate about Brexit. By openly acknowledging that full EU membership could be an option, he has challenged the assumption that leaving the European Union must remain a permanent decision.
His argument is that Britain should examine the economic, political and diplomatic consequences of Brexit and consider whether closer European integration would better serve its future interests.
However, the decision cannot be made by politicians alone. The British public must have a meaningful opportunity to consider the alternatives, understand the obligations of membership and decide what kind of relationship the country should have with Europe.
Ultimately, the debate is no longer simply about whether Brexit was right or wrong in 2016. It is about whether Britain can build a stronger economy, regain international influence and establish a more effective relationship with its closest European neighbours.
Rejoining the European Union may remain a distant possibility, but Burnham’s intervention has made one thing clear: Britain’s European future is once again open for political discussion.