Andy Burnham prepares to address Labour Party conference on EU rejoining
Andy Burnham is expected to edge Labour closer to rejoining the EU as he prepares to address the Labour Party conference for the first time as prime minister, reports BritPanorama.
Ministers have indicated that it is now a question of how much he emphasises the UK’s return to Europe, rather than if. Mr. Burnham has already warned about the “drift and division” in the decade since Brexit and is expected to reference this in his speech on Tuesday, where he will “lay out a very clear path for the country.” This move aims to highlight Labour’s distinctions from right-of-centre parties.
Growing optimism exists that a way back into the EU could be presented to voters at the next election, as the prime minister and senior ministers have suggested they believe Brexit has been a failure, particularly at this year’s party conference.
When asked recently if the topic of rejoining would feature in Labour’s next election manifesto, Mr. Burnham did not rule it out, recalling his previous assertion as Manchester mayor that the UK should rejoin the EU.
One senior minister noted that “the mood has completely changed on this subject,” adding, “There is a lot of momentum around rejoining again. The economic data is there, and we are feeling more relaxed about talking about Brexit as being a failure.” Another minister pointed out the potential need to consider the political landscape, especially with figures like Nigel Farage revitalising Reform.
There are discussions regarding whether the commitment to rejoin should be a direct pledge in the manifesto or managed through more indirect language suggesting a debate. Some ministers believe that Mr. Burnham needs to act promptly, rather than waiting for the general election. Stella Creasy, chair of the Labour Movement for Europe, warned that the UK needs to start looking into rejoining within the next six months.
A few ministers agree with Ms. Creasy, suggesting that the EU’s “Made in Europe” rules could limit the UK’s ability to engage in trade and security alliances. One cabinet member highlighted there’s a risk of being “trapped alone between two tectonic plates of America First and Made in Europe.” Many agree with former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair’s caution against rigid red lines established by Sir Keir Starmer that prevent discussion of customs union, single market participation, or free movement.
David Lammy’s former foreign policy strategist, Ben Judah, has also called for a snap election on Brexit. Meanwhile, foreign secretary Ed Miliband hinted at a new direction for Labour, emphasising a “stronger and deeper” partnership with the EU. He remarked, “This is our continent, and if there is one lesson that I have seen demonstrated to me again and again in this job, it is this: Europe is not just our geography, but so much more.”
Chancellor John Healey associated the UK’s current economic challenges with “Boris Johnson’s Brexit,” suggesting a need for fundamental change in economic policy to restore former financial stability.
Reacting to the possibility of rejoining being part of the Labour manifesto, Mike Galsworthy, chair of the European Movement, stated, “This is fantastic news.” He expressed that the ambition for accession talks in the next parliament would mobilise people in the UK and strengthen the nation’s position on the global stage.
Naomi Smith, chief executive of Best for Britain, noted that the political class appears to be catching up with public sentiment. She argued that joining the EU would significantly boost economic growth and alleviate pressure on citizens and businesses.
At a fringe event, Stella Creasy called for a clear commitment to negotiating rejoining the EU to be included in Labour’s manifesto, indicating that democratic consent is vital for such discussions. She stressed the importance of removing existing red lines to facilitate serious conversations with European partners on pressing challenges, including economic uncertainty and national security.
The evolving dynamics of Labour’s strategy on EU relations reflect a shift towards addressing the complexities and challenges that arose from Brexit, signalling a potential turning point in UK-EU relations.
