Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock has insisted Andy Burnham will bring Britain back into the EU after the prime minister hinted at a fresh referendum, reports BritPanorama.
On Monday, Mr Burnham vowed to use a key UK-EU summit in Brussels next month to push for a Brexit reset aimed at improving relations with the bloc, focusing on growth, immigration, and security.
In his call to MPs to rethink Brexit, Mr Burnham stated it would be a “dereliction of duty” to ignore an opportunity to seek a new deal with the EU.
Lord Kinnock expressed that Mr Burnham’s commitment to rejoining the EU is “authentic,” asserting that the prime minister has “always been a committed pro-European.”
“Andy makes the declaration of his determination to change the relationship, and it’s obvious that his objective is to join again,” he told Italian newspaper la Repubblica. He acknowledged the complexity of rejoining, indicating that the relationship in 2016 no longer exists while emphasizing that many UK regulations still align with European standards.
He added, “So we’re not quite starting from scratch, but we’ve got to build with it.”
Lord Kinnock further claimed Mr Burnham has “not changed direction” since the Makerfield by-election, where he strategically decided not to “re-run” Brexit arguments. “He’s always been a committed pro-European,” he noted.
In a statement to parliament on Monday, the prime minister said he would utilise the upcoming summit to propose a Brexit reset, aiming to enhance relations with the EU on pivotal issues such as growth and security.
He cautioned MPs that “sticking with the status quo is not good enough,” while asserting popular support for his pragmatic approach.
When questioned about honouring the 2016 referendum outcome, the prime minister indicated he was prepared to outline potential options for Britain to consider going forward.
Earlier in the summer, Lord Kinnock described rejoining the EU as the “only patriotic thing to do” for Britain, arguing that true patriotism stems from engagement rather than isolation.
As the discussion around Britain’s relationship with Europe continues to evolve, the upcoming summit is poised to be a critical juncture in defining future ties with the EU.
