Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has suggested a possible shift in Labour's position regarding the UK's relationship with the European Union. In a speech at the Labour Party conference, he attributed several of the country's issues to Brexit and indicated that he would outline future options at a summit with EU officials later this year.
This statement has led to criticism from within his party, particularly from Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra, who described the idea of rejoining the EU as 'unrealistic.' Burnham's comments represent a notable change from his previous stance in May, when he stated, 'I am not proposing that the UK considers rejoining the EU' and emphasized the importance of respecting the Brexit referendum outcome.
Following his recent speech, Burnham expressed a desire to clarify the future direction for the UK over the next decade. In an interview with BBC Radio 4, he mentioned several options for the UK's relationship with the EU, including remaining in the current situation, exploring a customs union, or considering full rejoining.
Labour's 2024 election manifesto had previously ruled out joining a customs union or the single market, as well as reinstating freedom of movement with the EU. However, Burnham indicated he is open to discussing these topics further, stating, '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.' He emphasized the need for a debate about the UK's future relationship with Europe as part of a broader plan to address the country's challenges.
In response, Tory Deputy Leader Alex Burghart criticized Burnham, stating, 'You cannot trust a word Andy Burnham says,' and accused Labour of failing to take responsibility for economic decisions while blaming Brexit for current issues.