A government minister has indicated that there is potential for Labour’s next manifesto to include a promise to rejoin the EU, suggesting that Andy Burnham could seek to reverse Brexit in the next parliament, reports BritPanorama.
Minister for European relations Hamish Falconer stressed that the government is “not talking about rejoining today”, yet acknowledged that decisions pertaining to the next manifesto will be determined by the Labour Party.
Mr. Burnham has expressed support for the UK rejoining the EU, although he later emphasized that he will not pursue this pathway, cautioning that such actions could entrap the country in a “permanent rut of argument”.
When asked about the new prime minister’s approach to Britain’s relationship with the EU following a “reset” initiated by Sir Keir Starmer, Falconer told Sky News: “The previous prime minister did really important work to help reset relations, and I want to consolidate some of that work. But we also need to see how we can go further.
“Even since when we started those talks, the world has changed quite dramatically. The threats have changed quite dramatically – both, talking about some of the threats in Eastern Europe, but clearly there are economic security threats, disinformation threats too.”
Addressing whether he agrees with former Labour leader Neil Kinnock’s calls for Britain to rejoin the EU, Falconer emphasized that decisions regarding the manifesto are unresolved. He stated: “It’s been absolutely clear from what the prime minister has said, and I share his views on this – we had this vote 10 years ago. It was the will of the country.”
Falconer further added, “The world has changed since 2016. We need to make sure that our relationship with Europe changes too. Europe and the UK both face real challenges.”
Asked if he could exclude reopening the issue of Brexit, he reiterated: “We’re not talking about rejoining today. What we do in our next manifesto will also be a question for the Labour Party.”
Earlier this month, Lord Kinnock asserted that rejoining the EU was the “only patriotic thing to do” for Britain, arguing that those who genuinely love the country should support returning to the bloc for the sake of future generations.
In a pointed message to Mr. Burnham, Lord Kinnock urged him not to be restricted by Labour’s so-called “red lines” regarding Europe, which prohibit rejoining the customs union and single market or allowing free movement of labour.
