Have your say in our online poll on whether returning to Brussels should be an eventual goal for Britain
Andy Burnham is eyeing closer ties with the EU (Image: Getty)
Andy Burnham has been urged by a top Labour politician to rejoin the European Union. Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra insisted that returning to the Brussels club should be a “long-term objective” for the UK.
His intervention comes as the Prime Minister is looking at options for the future relationship with the bloc. Speaking in Edinburgh on Tuesday, Mr Marra admitted there would be “serious questions” over issues such as currency and borders before Britain could go back into the EU. But the Labour MSP insisted that “difficult is not the same as impossible”.
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Mr Marra also acknowledged that rejoining the EU “won’t solve every problem we have”, adding: “If we’re serious about growth, we cannot keep ignoring the opportunity on our doorstep.”
He said: “The UK should rejoin the EU and Scottish Labour will work to make that happen.”
Mr Marra added: “I don’t pretend it will happen quickly. But I believe we should set it as a long-term objective for the UK and that Scotland should lead the change in making that happen.”
Have your say in our poll below and let us know more in the comments section
It comes as the PM is set to travel to Brussels next week for a joint summit where he is expected to sign a series of deals with the EU on food and farming, emissions and youth mobility.
He is also due to lay out options for the UK’s long-term relationship with the EU and has not ruled out a pledge to rejoin in Labour’s next manifesto.
But any major changes will have to come after the next general election as he has committed to Labour’s 2024 red lines on not returning to the single market, customs union or freedom of movement.
Have your say in our online poll on whether returning to Brussels should be an eventual goal for Britain
Andy Burnham is eyeing closer ties with the EU (Image: Getty)
Andy Burnham has been urged by a top Labour politician to rejoin the European Union. Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra insisted that returning to the Brussels club should be a “long-term objective” for the UK.
His intervention comes as the Prime Minister is looking at options for the future relationship with the bloc. Speaking in Edinburgh on Tuesday, Mr Marra admitted there would be “serious questions” over issues such as currency and borders before Britain could go back into the EU. But the Labour MSP insisted that “difficult is not the same as impossible”.
Get the latest politics news – straight from our team in Westminster and more
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You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info.
Mr Marra also acknowledged that rejoining the EU “won’t solve every problem we have”, adding: “If we’re serious about growth, we cannot keep ignoring the opportunity on our doorstep.”
He said: “The UK should rejoin the EU and Scottish Labour will work to make that happen.”
Mr Marra added: “I don’t pretend it will happen quickly. But I believe we should set it as a long-term objective for the UK and that Scotland should lead the change in making that happen.”
Have your say in our poll below and let us know more in the comments section
It comes as the PM is set to travel to Brussels next week for a joint summit where he is expected to sign a series of deals with the EU on food and farming, emissions and youth mobility.
He is also due to lay out options for the UK’s long-term relationship with the EU and has not ruled out a pledge to rejoin in Labour’s next manifesto.
But any major changes will have to come after the next general election as he has committed to Labour’s 2024 red lines on not returning to the single market, customs union or freedom of movement.