Andy Burnham has faced a mixed reaction from readers after committing to stick to Sir Keir Starmer’s Brexit red lines, days after indicating he wanted to be “bolder” in forging closer ties with Europe, reports BritPanorama.
Downing Street confirmed that the UK will not pursue rejoining the EU, the single market, the customs union, or free movement—disappointing many who had hoped the new Prime Minister might take a different approach.
Critics accused Burnham of not seizing the opportunity, citing trips to France and Italy where everyday costs were significantly lower than in the UK as evidence of potential benefits lost. Others welcomed the cautious stance, arguing that any changes should await a new mandate from the electorate at the next general election, while defending the outcome of the 2016 referendum.
Many observers believe that rejoining the EU could eventually become inevitable, but likely not during the current parliamentary term.
Bolder should mean the single market
“Get a grip, Andy. The UK is lost and ‘stuck in a rut’ by being out of the EU. I agree with him when he said he wants to be ‘bolder’, but that’s not enough. Bolder should mean joining the single market and being in the customs union. It makes sense to be back in the EU. We’ve recently returned from Italy, where the cost of food and drink was strikingly lower than here in the UK,” noted one commenter.
Respect the result of the referendum
Another perspective emphasized the importance of respecting democratic processes, “The Prime Minister has acted sensibly with his commitment to stick to the manifesto red lines on rejoining the EU, the single market, and the customs union. If Labour wants to change, it should go to the electorate in 2029 with its plan.”
Shopping in France costs half as much
A commenter shared their experience: “We did several massive supermarket shops in France—healthy, filling, and delicious—and it cost us half, if not a quarter, of what we pay in England. Everything in the UK costs twice, if not three times, the price it costs in other European countries.”
Fanatical pro-EU supporters don’t understand reality
In contrast, one user expressed frustration with pro-EU sentiments: “These fanatical pro-EU supporters just don’t seem to understand reality. Pretending that there is no difference between closer cooperation with Europe and rejoining the European Union is not serious political analysis.”
Fear of the right is holding us all to ransom
Another contributor lamented the missed opportunity, stating, “It feels like fear of the right is holding us all to ransom. I am not prepared to vote for a party that won’t address the failures of the Brexit experiment.”
The UK is nowhere near meeting membership rules
A different angle highlighted that EU membership remains an impractical prospect for the UK, suggesting, “The UK economy is too complex to permit compliance monitoring outside full membership, which requires adherence to all four freedoms.”
A missed opportunity
“It would have signalled that Burnham was up for real change. I predict that when the winter arrives and energy bills rise again, we’ll revisit the same issues as last year,” remarked one frustrated commentator.
Sort out your electoral system first
“Before any talk of rejoining, the UK needs to sort out its electoral system; ‘first past the post’ isn’t democratic,” another user emphasized, suggesting reforms for a fairer voting system.
This is a long-term goal, not a quick fix
A reflective note mentioned, “Burnham has realized that joining the EU is a long-term goal, and not something achievable in the near term, as there are still parties with substantial public support that resist rejoining.”
We need to claw back lost tax revenue
Some stressed the economic consequences of Brexit, expressing the need to recover lost tax revenues, suggesting that future electoral platforms should reflect the realities of Brexit’s impact.
Young voters overwhelmingly want back in
Another commentator highlighted shifts in demographics, noting, “Latest figures show nearly 90 percent of younger voters want to be back in the EU.”
Burnham will choose his moment
One user voiced their belief that Britain may rejoin the EU eventually, crediting Burnham with being strategic in choosing when to propose a renewed push for membership.
Some comments have been edited for brevity and clarity.
A quiet undercurrent of sentiment remains among varied opinions: each perspective offers a glimpse into a complex and evolving narrative on the UK’s relationship with Europe.
