Andy Burnham Denies Return to EU Freedom of Movement

Prime Minister Andy Burnham denied proposing a return to European Union freedom of movement, stating that the British public must be "the boss" regarding the future relationship with the bloc. In an interview with ITV, Burnham called for an "honest discussion" on how migration has changed since the Brexit vote, arguing that short-term European migration has been replaced by larger numbers of long-term settlements.

While Burnham committed to Labour's manifesto red lines—which rule out the single market and customs union for the current Parliament—he indicated he might fight the next election on a pledge to rejoin the EU. He emphasized that he would not run ahead of public opinion.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood simultaneously announced a tightening of indefinite leave to remain rules, though the measures are less strict than those proposed in November 2025. Mahmood declined to share her personal views on freedom of movement, stating she is keen on abiding by the party manifesto. She acknowledged that the loss of EU-wide databases has hindered the UK's ability to manage migration effectively.