Burnham puts EU ties back in debate

LONDON — UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reopened the debate over Britain's relationship with the European Union, putting eventual membership among the options.

His remarks mark a departure from Labour's previous position and raise a key question: how far is the United Kingdom prepared to go in rebuilding ties with the bloc?

In his first Labour Party conference speech as prime minister on Sept 29, Burnham said Brexit had "done more harm than good" and set out options for "Britain's long-term relationship with our European partners".

In a BBC interview broadcast the following day, he said rejoining the EU was one option. "I would like to see Britain rejoin in my lifetime," he said, but added that he would "look at the different options".

Those options included maintaining the current relationship, joining a customs union, and participating in the single market.

The openness contrasts with Labour's 2024 election manifesto, which ruled out rejoining the single market or customs union and restoring freedom of movement. Burnham had also previously pledged not to reopen "divisive arguments about rejoining the EU", according to the Financial Times.

The debate comes a decade after 52 percent of voters backed leaving the EU in the June 2016 referendum. The UK formally left the bloc in 2020.

Burnham has made economic growth a critical argument.

"I think we have seen growth harmed by Brexit, and it's hard to see how we can get back to the higher levels of growth we once had by staying too distant from our largest market," he said in an interview broadcast by ITV News on Wednesday.

Polling also suggests public support for closer ties, though that does not necessarily translate into support for full EU membership.

A Public First poll found that 70 percent of British voters wanted the government to build closer ties with the EU, The Independent reported on Wednesday. YouGov data published the same day showed that 59 percent supported rejoining the bloc.

Reopening the debate also carries political risks. Labour lawmaker Graham Stringer said it would be a "betrayal" for Britain to go back on the vote and warned that the debate could be "more acrimonious" than in 2016.

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