British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has suggested rejoining the EU is among options the government could examine to reshape the UK’s long-term relationship with Europe.
The prime minister said the current Brexit settlement had caused “more harm than good” and he wanted to look at “what is doable” to repair 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.
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”.
Last week, Burnham left the door open to campaigning at the next general election for a mandate to rejoin the 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”.
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.
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.
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