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Labour Party leader Andy Burnham, in his first conference speech as leader, indicated he might include a plan to potentially rejoin the European Union in Labour’s next election manifesto. When questioned about the possibility of skipping a referendum and campaigning on a promise to re-enter the EU, Burnham declined to rule out this option outright, stating that decisions would be based on public opinion and the viability of different approaches. He also acknowledged the potential risks associated with referendums but emphasized his belief in closer ties with the EU due to global threats and the harm caused by Brexit.
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.
But, he said, if public opinion is “pointing towards” backing re-entry into the bloc, he could commit to holding a vote on the issue in the next manifesto.
uncertain
he → say → manifesto
He also declined to rule out skipping a referendum and fighting the next general election on a promise to rejoin.
asserted
He → decline → promise
In his first Labour Party conference speech as leader, the Prime Minister said Brexit had done “more harm than good” and promised to set out the options to the country around the time of a UK-EU summit, which he said would be in November.
asserted
he → say → November
Blaming Brexit for a decade of drift and division, Mr Burnham told ITV News: “I can’t avoid the Europe question if I’m to put out a credible 10-year plan for Britain.”
asserted
I → blame → Britain
Asked whether that could mean sticking to the status quo, he said: “I don’t know what Europe will say about the different options.
uncertain
Europe → ask → options
“We’ve got to look at where we are, where they are and see what is a realistic and viable approach in all of the areas that we mentioned and then open up a conversation about it.”
asserted
we → get → it
He said his “instincts” were that “it is better to be closer” to the EU “with all of the threats that we see around the world”.
asserted
we → say → world
The Labour leader insisted he was not “leaping towards” any one option such as a referendum, telling the BBC: “I think we’d have to see where the options fell out, what people feel about them, and then, depending on what people seem to be pointing towards, what we then do.”
asserted
we → insist → what
But pressed on whether he could promise an in-out referendum after the next election, he said: “Yeah, things are possible.”
uncertain
things → press → election
He acknowledged that “we have to proceed with great care” because “referendums do damage” and “divide households and communities,” amid concerns over reopening the wounds of the 2016 Brexit vote.
asserted
referendums → acknowledge → vote
Challenged over whether he could skip another referendum and put rejoining the EU in the manifesto, Mr Burnham told Channel 4 News: “I wouldn’t rule anything out at this moment.”
uncertain
I → challenge → moment
Before entering Downing Street, Mr Burnham had said he wanted to see the UK back in the EU within his lifetime.
asserted
he → enter → lifetime
Asked on Sky News whether he stood by that, he said: “I said in my lifetime and I’ve said that I’m not going to pull back from that.”
asserted
I → ask → that
Earlier on Wednesday, the Prime Minister said the range of options included going “all the way” with a proposal to rejoin the bloc.
asserted
range → say → bloc
Mr Macron said it was “very good news” for both the UK and Europe, quipping: “Welcome back.”
asserted
it → say → UK
A European Commission spokesperson said: “The UK is a close and valued partner of the European Union.
“It is for the UK Government to set out how it wishes to develop its relationship with the EU going forward.
asserted
it → say → EU
“We remain open to engaging on the options it may put forward.”
uncertain
it → remain → options
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