LONDON, Sep 30: UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said his government could examine the possibility of Britain rejoining the European Union as part of a wider review of the country’s future relationship with the bloc.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Burnham said the existing arrangements following Brexit had delivered more negative than positive consequences. He argued that ministers should assess the practical choices available for rebuilding relations with European countries.
Asked directly whether he supported Britain returning to the EU, Burnham said he wanted the government to consider the full range of possibilities rather than rule out any option in advance.
He outlined several potential models, including retaining the existing post-Brexit framework, establishing a customs union, seeking closer links with the European single market, or pursuing full EU membership.
“There are clearly options that need to be considered,” Burnham said, adding that each proposal would have to be examined in terms of its feasibility, advantages and disadvantages.
The position represents a change from comments Burnham made earlier this year during his campaign for the Makerfield by-election. At that time, he said he was not advocating a return to the EU and cautioned against reopening the divisions that dominated British politics during the Brexit process.
His latest intervention came after an address at the Labour Party’s annual conference, where he argued that Brexit had not achieved its stated objective of restoring greater national control. He linked the consequences of the UK’s departure from the bloc to difficulties involving the economy and immigration.
Burnham said he intended to use a delayed UK-EU summit, now expected to take place in November, to discuss possible long-term arrangements with European partners. The aim, he said, would be to establish what options are practical and work towards broader political agreement.
Any major change in Britain’s formal relationship with the European Union would not be pursued before the next general election, which is due to be held by mid-2029.
The proposal represents a broader approach than that taken by former prime minister Keir Starmer. His government had pursued a limited improvement in relations with Brussels while retaining Labour’s 2024 election commitments to keep Britain outside the EU, single market and customs union and not restore free movement.
Burnham’s remarks have prompted opposition from Brexit-supporting political groups. Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice accused the Labour government of seeking to move Britain closer to Brussels without directly saying so and said his party would resist such a move.
The Conservatives also criticised Labour for bringing the Brexit question back into political debate. The Liberal Democrats, meanwhile, have advocated stronger economic links with the EU, including participation in the single market and customs union.
The government is expected to assess several possible frameworks in the months ahead, ranging from the current arrangement and a customs union to single-market participation and, potentially, full EU membership.