Andy Burnham Considers Rejoining EU to Reverse Brexit Harm

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that all options for the United Kingdom's future relationship with the European Union are on the table, including the possibility of rejoining the bloc. Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool and in interviews with the BBC, Burnham stated that Brexit has done "more harm than good," citing a decade of low growth and weakened immigration control. He intends to present various options—ranging from a customs union and the single market to full membership—at a UK-EU summit in Brussels expected in November.

This shift marks a potential break from Labour's 2024 manifesto, which ruled out returning to the single market or customs union. The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from the Conservative Party and Reform UK, who accuse the government of attempting to reverse the 2016 referendum via the "back door." Conversely, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and the City of London Corporation have endorsed the move as a path to long-term prosperity.

European leaders have reacted warmly to the development. French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez welcomed the prospect in Madrid, though Macron cautioned that the UK cannot take an "a la carte approach" to the union's freedoms. The European Commission stated it remains open to engaging on any options the UK government puts forward.

Alongside the EU review, Burnham unveiled a domestic agenda focused on public control, including a National Care Service funded by changes to the state pension triple lock starting in 2030, and increased public ownership of energy and water utilities.