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Andy Burnham, Labour's deputy leader, suggested that rejoining the EU is among several options the government should consider to reshape Britain’s relationship with Europe. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he indicated a willingness to explore various possibilities, including those proposed by former Chancellor George Osborne and the Liberal Democrats, without committing fully to one specific path. Burnham’s comments reflect a shift from Labour's previous stance on Brexit and could create significant divisions within his party ahead of the next general election.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-30,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Andy Burnham, the new Labour Party leader and Prime Minister of Britain, has indicated that rejoining the European Union (EU) could be an option for the UK. During his first Labour conference speech as PM on Tuesday, Burnham stated that Brexit had caused "more harm than good" and promised to outline options around a November summit with the EU.
Burnham told both the BBC and ITV News that while he would not jump immediately towards any single decision like holding a referendum or fighting the next election on a promise to rejoin, public opinion could influence his party's stance. He emphasized considering "what is doable" and evaluating the pros and cons of each potential option.
However, some within Labour disagree with Burnham’s approach; Michael Marra, leader of Scottish Labour, warned that rejoining the EU is “unrealistic.” Despite this internal division, European leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron have welcomed the possibility, suggesting it could be "excellent news."
Written for “UK Rejoining EU Debate” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 17 other(s) covering the same event.
- Published
Andy Burnham has suggested rejoining the EU is among options the government could examine to reshape the UK's long-term relationship with Europe.
uncertain
government → publish → Europe
The prime minister told the BBC the current Brexit settlement had caused "more harm than good" and he wanted to look at "what is doable" to repair relations.
asserted
what → tell → relations
It comes after he pledged in his Labour conference speech on Tuesday to explore closer ties with the bloc at a delayed summit later this year.
asserted
he → come → summit
The move could set up a huge dividing line at the next general election, with the Conservatives accusing him of trying to "reopen old wounds by restarting the battles of the Brexit years".
uncertain
Conservatives → set → years
Last week, Burnham left the door open to campaigning at the next general election for a mandate to rejoin the EU.
asserted
Burnham → leave → EU
As a candidate in the Makerfield by-election that propelled his return to Parliament, he had promised not to "re-run" Brexit arguments and said he was "not proposing that the UK considers rejoining the EU".
asserted
UK → propel → EU
But his latest comments are the clearest indication yet he could make a decisive break from Labour's 2024 election manifesto, which pledged to "make Brexit work" whilst ruling out rejoining either its customs union or single market.
uncertain
Brexit → make → union
Predecessor Sir Keir Starmer had instead tried to carve out a more limited reset in relations, including aligning with EU food standards, a youth visa deal and relinking British industry to the EU's carbon trading regime.
asserted
Starmer → try → regime
Sir Keir's departure from office delayed a summer summit with the EU until later this year, at which time Burnham has also said he wants to publish a 10-year plan to transform the UK economy.
asserted
he → delay → economy
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Burnham said he did not want to leave the question of the EU relationship "hanging" and he wanted to be clear on "where we want Britain to go in the next decade".
asserted
Britain → speak → decade
Asked whether he wanted the UK to rejoin the EU, he replied that he wanted to "look at the options".
asserted
he → ask → options
He added he had previously advocated such a move within his lifetime, whilst acknowledging it was "not necessarily the case that that is now".
asserted
that → add → lifetime
"We could stay as we are.
uncertain
we → stay → ?
That's definitely an option, if people think this is the right place to stay," he told the programme.
asserted
he → think → programme
"We could look at what [former Chancellor] George Osborne has said about a customs union, we could look at what the Liberal Democrats said at their conference about the single market, or we could go all the way."
uncertain
we → look → way
"So 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 added.
asserted
he → be → each
In his conference speech on Tuesday, Burnham blamed Brexit for a loss of control over both immigration and the economy, telling delegates he did not believe the current relationship was "good enough".
asserted
relationship → blame → delegates
He told activists he wanted to use the rescheduled summit later this year to lay out "different options" for the UK's long-term relationship with Europe.
asserted
he → tell → Europe
He promised to "find consensus" on an option to clarify the UK's position, although did not offer further detail of how this would be measured.
asserted
this → promise → detail
In response to Burnham's conference speech, Conservative deputy leader Alex Burghart said: "Labour cannot pin the blame for their disastrous economic decisions on a vote that happened over a decade ago.
"
asserted
that → say → vote
Besides, they are already dragging us into the European Union via the back door with their EU reset."
Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to read top political analysis, gain insight from across the UK and stay up to speed with the big moments.
asserted
they → drag → moments
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asserted
It → deliver → inbox
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