Andy Burnham affirms commitment to Brexit red lines
Andy Burnham has committed to Sir Keir Starmer’s much-criticised Brexit red lines in a major blow to hopes that he would find a route back into the bloc, reports BritPanorama.
In an interview last year when he was still mayor of Greater Manchester, Mr Burnham expressed a desire for the UK to rejoin the EU, prompting speculation that he might abandon Labour’s manifesto commitments not to rejoin the EU, the single market, or customs union upon assuming the prime ministership in July.
This speculation intensified following comments from his new minister for Brexit, Hamish Falconer, who did not dismiss the possibility of rejoining the EU in the future.
The economic ramifications of Brexit were underscored by former prime minister Sir John Major, who recently warned that Brexit costs the UK £100bn in trade annually and £40bn in tax revenues, suggesting that rejoining the single market should be a priority.
Despite these pressures, a Downing Street spokesperson reaffirmed on Monday that the red lines remain firm, even as Mr Burnham signalled a desire to adopt a “bolder” approach than his predecessor in fostering closer ties with Europe.
The spokesperson stated: “We remain committed to the red lines set out in the manifesto. We’re not rejoining the European Union, and there will be no return to the customs union, the single market, or freedom of movement.”
They further noted, “We want to build an ambitious and close relationship with the EU that will strengthen our economy and unlock growth in every postcode, and the prime minister remains committed to that agenda.”
On speculation concerning changes for European students, the spokesperson remarked that “ongoing negotiations” wouldn’t be commented on, but indicated that a summit later in the year would outline progress.
In response to the government’s decision to maintain the red lines, the European Movement UK has suggested that there remains potential for a policy shift in the next election.
Mike Galsworthy, chair of the European Movement UK, highlighted that Burnham’s greatest opportunity resides not in how he navigates Starmer’s manifesto restrictions, but in the promise to open accession talks for full EU membership in the next manifesto.
He stated, “However, that doesn’t mean that the government should take its foot off the pedal at this stage. There are many real-world impactful wins to be had in breaking down as many barriers as possible during this parliament and building deep trust and relationships with the European team.”
The comments followed Burnham’s trip to Ukraine, where he suggested that the UK aims to take a “bolder” approach toward Europe. Nevertheless, Downing Street did not expand on what this “bolder” stance would entail, refraining from providing a “running commentary” on negotiations.
During a train journey to Kyiv, Burnham and Antonio Costa, the president of the European Council, emphasized the need for “greater cooperation” across sectors, a sentiment echoed by the prime minister who stated that the UK must be “bolder” in its approach to the EU.
Earlier, the leaders expressed that unity and solidarity with Ukraine were vital during their meeting while acknowledging the importance of driving significant improvements in UK-EU relations.
The upcoming UK-EU summit will address topics including youth mobility, defence, and energy sharing, having been postponed from its initial July date to a yet-to-be-confirmed time later this year.
Burnham’s ambitions for UK to get closer to EU
On the same journey to Kyiv, Burnham indicated his aspiration for closer ties with the EU, aligning with a policy initiated by his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.
This approach mirrors comments made by Burnham in the Times prior to his premiership, where he discussed consolidating existing UK-EU negotiations and advancing cooperation on challenges such as illegal migration, economic security, and resilience against external threats.
While campaigning in the Labour-held Makerfield constituency during the by-election, Burnham had previously expressed that he did not favour rejoining the EU, suggesting that rehashing Brexit debates could lead to a “permanent rut.”
He maintained, “It is time, surely, isn’t it, to bring people back together, to focus on what we’ve got in common.”
How rejoining EU single market would impact the UK economy
Economically, closer ties with Europe could offer a £92bn boost to UK GDP, according to recent research commissioned by Best for Britain. This study posits that rejoining the EU might recover as much as 90 per cent of Brexit’s economic hit.
Furthermore, former Tory minister-turned Labour adviser Nick Boles stated that re-accession to the EU single market could be pivotal for Burnham in the next general election, underscoring a chance to establish a lasting legacy akin to that of Tony Blair.
Boles urged Burnham to capitalise on evolving global circumstances since 2016, promoting a deal with EU leaders that both mitigates continental threats and revitalises the UK economy.
