Prime Minister Andy Burnham speaking during the Welsh Labour conference 2026 at the Venue Cymru, Lla (Image: Annabel Lee-Ellis/Press Association)

Andy Burnham has declared Britain has “lost more than we’ve gained” since Brexit as he launched a fresh defence of his controversial plans to forge closer ties with the European Union. The Prime Minister delivered the blunt assessment at the Welsh Labour conference, claiming the Conservatives had negotiated a far tougher departure from the bloc than voters had expected when they backed leaving in the 2016 referendum.

Mr Burnham also accused the Tories of destroying Britain’s relationship with European leaders in the aftermath of the historic vote, making it harder for the UK to secure a favourable deal with Brussels. He told delegates at the Welsh Labour conference in Llandudno: “I don’t believe that Brexit and the deal that they got has been good enough for Britain.

“I think we’ve lost more than we’ve gained over the last 10 years. Actually, I think the Conservatives gave Britain a harsher Brexit and a harder Brexit than people thought they were getting when they voted in 2016, because they burned all of our bridges in the aftermath with the EU.”

His remarks represent one of his strongest criticisms yet of the UK’s departure from the EU and are likely to reignite the bitter debate over Britain’s future relationship with the bloc. They also come as Mr Burnham faces growing opposition to his proposed reset, which critics fear will see Britain gradually surrender control over its own laws and regulations.

The Prime Minister is preparing to sign a major agreement with Brussels covering food and farming, with the deal expected to require Britain to follow hundreds of EU agricultural rules despite no longer having a say in how they are made. Mr Burnham insisted the arrangement would benefit British businesses, reduce red tape for exporters and help bring down the cost of food.

He said: “Why am I doing that? Because I want to help Welsh businesses and remove some of the red tape that food exporters face.

“More than anything, I am trying to get prices down – food prices down. And if we get the right deal, that is what we will do, as well as reduce costs for businesses.”

He claimed the agreement could also add up to 0.4 % to Britain’s GDP, asking delegates: “Why wouldn’t I do that as Prime Minister, why wouldn’t I lead in that way?”

However, his intervention comes just a day after the launch of a new campaign group determined to prevent Britain from rejoining the EU.

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Stay Out, chaired by Oliver Lewis, a former deputy Brexit negotiator, claims returning to the bloc would cost British taxpayers £39.3billion a year, equivalent to £750million every week.

The group has received backing from Lord Gove, the former Conservative Cabinet minister and Vote Leave chairman, who warned that rejoining would mean handing back control of Britain’s laws, borders, money and trade.

He said: “Reopening this question would just commit the country to another decade of fractious negotiations and a return to the divisions we have spent years putting behind us.”

The group’s launch video also warns that rejoining would bring back freedom of movement, raising the prospect of increased immigration from across Europe.

Its campaign directly challenges Mr Burnham’s approach, accusing him of breaking a promise made during the Makerfield by-election not to reopen the Brexit debate.

The Telegraph reported that Mr Burnham is expected to defend his approach further in a speech at the Mansion House on Monday, before travelling to Brussels on Friday to sign the food and farming agreement.

The Prime Minister has previously called for an “honest discussion” about Britain’s relationship with the EU and has refused to rule out a second referendum as part of a wider review of relations with Brussels.

His latest comments will do little to reassure Brexit supporters who fear the Government’s reset is the first step towards reversing the result of the referendum.

Prince Harry’s ‘Friend’ Exposes Duke’s True Feelings About Christmas Snub

Prince Harry’s relationship with the British Royal Family has once again attracted attention as fresh claims about his feelings surrounding the family’s Christmas celebrations raise questions about the continuing distance between the Duke of Sussex and his relatives. A reported comment from someone described as a friend of the prince has brought renewed focus to the emotional significance of the festive season and the complicated family relationships that have developed since Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from their senior royal duties.

Christmas has traditionally been one of the most important occasions in the royal calendar. For generations, members of the Royal Family have gathered at Sandringham to celebrate the holiday together, attend the traditional Christmas Day church service and participate in a series of family traditions. The occasion has also provided an opportunity for relatives to put aside disagreements and enjoy time together away from their official responsibilities.

However, Harry’s absence from these celebrations has become a recurring subject of public discussion. Since relocating to the United States with Meghan in 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have established a separate family life in California, while the rest of the Royal Family have continued many of their traditional Christmas arrangements in Britain.

The distance is about more than geography. Harry’s departure from royal life followed years of reported disagreements, intense media attention and public controversy. His relationship with several members of his family has subsequently become a subject of international interest, particularly following interviews, documentaries and the publication of his memoir, Spare.

For many observers, the Christmas question represents one of the most visible reminders of the separation. While royal engagements and official appearances often dominate headlines, family celebrations are more personal. They involve traditions, memories and relationships that cannot necessarily be replaced by public events or professional commitments.

The reported comments attributed to Harry’s friend have therefore attracted attention because they appear to offer another perspective on how the duke views the situation. However, without a directly attributable statement from Harry himself, it is important to distinguish between reported interpretations and his confirmed personal views.

Harry has previously spoken openly about the difficulties within his family. In interviews, he has described disagreements and expressed concerns about his relationship with the institution and certain relatives. His memoir also provided an unusually personal account of experiences within the Royal Family, creating further discussion about whether reconciliation would be possible.

Nevertheless, family relationships are rarely straightforward, particularly when disagreements have played out in front of a global audience. Private conversations can become public controversies, and even seemingly ordinary decisions about holidays can attract intense scrutiny.

For King Charles, the situation presents a complicated family challenge. The monarch has continued his constitutional and ceremonial responsibilities while maintaining his position as head of a family that has experienced significant changes. His relationship with Harry has attracted particular interest because of the contrast between their public roles and the personal connection between father and son.

The king’s position also means that family matters can easily become intertwined with wider questions about the monarchy. Any appearance, invitation or absence can be interpreted as a statement, even when the individuals involved may simply be making personal decisions.

Prince William’s relationship with his younger brother has also remained an important part of the discussion. The brothers once appeared together regularly at royal events and were frequently presented as a close family partnership. Their relationship has since become the subject of considerable speculation following Harry’s departure and subsequent public comments.

The Christmas period can make such divisions more noticeable. Photographs of the Royal Family attending church together or gathering at Sandringham inevitably invite comparisons with the Sussexes’ celebrations in California.

For Harry and Meghan, Christmas in the United States offers an opportunity to establish traditions of their own with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Their life in California is considerably different from the structured environment associated with the British monarchy.

The couple have previously shared occasional glimpses of their family life, although they generally maintain boundaries around their children’s privacy. Their decision to raise Archie and Lilibet outside the United Kingdom has also contributed to questions about how the next generation of the royal family will maintain relationships across the Atlantic.

For Harry, the issue may involve competing responsibilities and personal priorities. He is a husband and father who has built a new life in America, but he is also the son of the British monarch and a member of a family whose traditions have shaped much of his early life.

These circumstances can create difficult choices, particularly when public expectations are involved. Some royal watchers believe that Christmas invitations could provide an opportunity for reconciliation, while others argue that meaningful progress would require more than simply attending a family gathering.

A festive reunion would not automatically resolve the disagreements that have developed over several years. Questions about trust, privacy, public statements and the future relationship between the Sussexes and the monarchy would remain.

There is also the question of security and practical arrangements. Harry has previously raised concerns about the security provisions available to him and his family when visiting Britain. These issues have formed part of the wider discussion about whether regular visits with his children would become easier in the future.

For a family living thousands of miles apart, organising a Christmas visit can involve significant planning. When that family is also the subject of constant international media attention, even a private holiday can become a major news event.

Public interest in the Sussexes has not diminished, partly because their story touches on broader questions about family loyalty, independence and the pressures of public life. Many people can understand the desire to establish boundaries with relatives, while others place greater importance on maintaining traditional family relationships.

The debate surrounding Harry’s Christmas absence reflects these different perspectives. Some see the separation as an understandable consequence of unresolved disagreements and the couple’s decision to build an independent life. Others view the continuing distance as a missed opportunity for reconciliation, particularly given the significance of family gatherings.

Neither interpretation can fully explain the private feelings of the people involved. Only Harry and his relatives know the details of their conversations, the nature of their disagreements and what they would need to move forward.

What is clear is that the relationship between the Sussexes and the wider Royal Family remains an important subject of public attention. Every Christmas brings another opportunity to consider whether the distance between them might eventually narrow.

For King Charles, the personal significance of having his family together may remain separate from the institutional responsibilities of the monarchy. For Harry, the challenge may involve balancing his own family commitments with the complicated relationships and traditions associated with his upbringing.

The reported comments from a person described as Harry’s friend have added another layer to an already familiar discussion. Yet speculation about his emotions should not be mistaken for a confirmed statement from the duke.

Ultimately, the Christmas story is about more than who attends a royal gathering or who appears in the traditional family photographs. It highlights the continuing consequences of a major family separation and the difficulty of repairing relationships after years of public disagreement.

Whether Harry will eventually spend Christmas with his father, brother and other relatives remains uncertain. For now, the Sussexes continue to maintain their life in California, while the Royal Family preserve their established festive traditions in Britain.

As another Christmas approaches, attention will inevitably return to the possibility of reconciliation. But behind the headlines and speculation lies a deeply personal family situation in which any lasting progress will depend on private conversations, mutual understanding and a willingness to rebuild trust.