Andy Burnham has said he has not proposed the return of freedom of movement between the UK and the EU, as he vowed to make the public “the boss” in deciding Britain’s future relationship with the bloc.
asserted
public → say → bloc
He wants to lock in deals on food and drink, emissions trading and a youth mobility scheme at a Brussels summit on November 20, but told ministers that the period beyond that would be to “explore options” for the long-term relationship that will eventually be put to the public.
asserted
that → want → public
In a sign that a food and agriculture deal is almost finalised, a draft text has been circulated among the 27 EU members, the BBC reported, along with similar documents on the emissions trading and youth mobility plans.
asserted
BBC → finalise → plans
Mr Burnham’s remarks in recent weeks have fuelled questions about the prospect of the UK returning to the EU or adopting its freedom of movement rules.
“I do believe that we should have an honest discussion with people about how immigration has changed since the Brexit vote because the shorter term migration of people coming from Europe and then going back has been replaced with long term settlement in bigger numbers, and that was the Boriswave.”
asserted
that → fuel → numbers
He said this had “led to more illegal migration because we can’t share data anymore” with European partners.
asserted
we → say → partners
Mr Burnham, who fought a by-election in Leave-voting Makerfield that served as a stepping stone into No 10 with a promise not to “re-run” Brexit arguments, said he had noticed during the campaign that public opinion had changed in the constituency over the decade since the 2016 Brexit vote.
asserted
opinion → fight → vote
He continued: “I think public opinion has changed nationally.
“
asserted
opinion → continue → ?
But I want to be really clear on this issue.
asserted
I → want → issue
I will not run ahead of public opinion.
asserted
I → run → opinion
The public need to be the boss when it comes to whatever happens with Brexit.”
asserted
whatever → come → Brexit
Mr Burnham was pressed again on the issue after an interview, last weekend, in which he called for an “honest discussion” about a return to freedom of movement prompted questions about how close the UK could become to Brussels.
uncertain
UK → press → Brussels
Confusion deepened after further interviews, in which he first said there would be no shift within this Parliament and signalled that he could fight the next general election on a promise to take the UK back into the bloc.
uncertain
he → deepen → bloc
In a second interview, he said “no” when asked whether he would allow the UK to reinstate EU freedom of movement without a referendum, forcing Downing Street to later clarify that he was “not leaning either way” on how to move forward.
asserted
he → say → Street
Mr Burnham told MPs in the Commons last week there was “no confusion at all” about his position when asked if he wanted a referendum on rejoining the bloc.
asserted
he → tell → bloc
He committed to sticking to red lines set out in Labour’s manifesto – which rule out returning to the customs union, single market or free movement – for the duration of this Parliament.
asserted
which → commit → Parliament
He also told his Cabinet to avoid publicly backing specific options for the UK’s future relationship with the EU in a letter seeking to clarify his stance.
asserted
He → tell → stance
Ms Mahmood, who on Monday unveiled a tightening of immigration rules, told Sky News: “What I am keen on is abiding by our manifesto.
asserted
am → unveil → manifesto
“The Prime Minister has himself recognised that there were significant issues with the free movement of people, and that should also be part of the debate that we’re going to have as a country about our Brexit settlement and what we do for the future.”
asserted
we → recognise → future
Asked whether she agreed with his assessment that the UK would have more control over migration if the UK rejoined the EU, she said losing access to EU-wide databases after Brexit had “had a very significant impact on us and our ability to manage migration into this country”.
asserted
losing → ask → country
Asked whether she wanted to see free movement, asylum minister Anna Turley told Sky: “My priority is sorting out the system that we’ve got, getting young people in my constituency into work, making sure we’ve got an immigration system that is not chaotic, that is controlled, that we stop the illegal migration through small boats, that we get a grip on removals.”
asserted
we → ask → removals
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats repeated calls for a return to the EU single market and customs union.
asserted
Democrats → repeat → union
Responding to the reports that a draft deal on food and farming checks has been agreed, the party’s Europe spokesman Al Pinkerton said: “Scrapping the Brexit red tape strangling British food exporters is long overdue.
asserted
Scrapping → respond → exporters
For years, unnecessary trade barriers have held back British farmers and businesses while families have faced higher food prices and less variety on supermarket shelves.
asserted
families → hold → shelves
“This deal is a step in the right direction, but it’s a patch, not a fix.
asserted
it → ’ → direction
“The real solution is to rejoin the single market and to establish a customs union with the EU.
asserted
solution → rejoin → EU
The Liberal Democrats have consistently made the case for both, because removing barriers to trade means stronger businesses, lower prices and a growing economy.
asserted
removing → make → businesses
“Ministers must now drop their self-imposed red lines and recognise that Britain’s economic future depends on rebuilding our relationship with our closest neighbours.”
asserted
future → drop → neighbours
The Aporia
