British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK should consider rejoining the European Union as part of a review of relations with the bloc, arguing that Brexit “has done more harm than good.” Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Burnham said that all feasible options should be examined, from a customs union to full access to the single European market. In his speech at the Labour Party conference, he also linked Brexit’s legacy to weakened economic governance and migration pressures.
The stance marks a break with Labour’s 2024 platform, which ruled out re‑entering EU structures. Unlike Keir Starmer’s cautious line, Burnham is preparing for sweeping changes: at a postponed summit with European leaders, he plans to present new relationship models and a decade‑long economic transformation plan. He also signaled he might seek a mandate for full EU membership at the next general election.
The comments drew a sharp response from the opposition. Conservative deputy leader Alex Burghart said Labour cannot blame the country’s problems on a decade‑old referendum. Conservatives accused Burnham of breaking his promise not to reopen the Brexit question and of stoking old divisions over the UK’s exit from the bloc.
