Prime Minister Burnham to Urge Parliament to Consider Closer Post-Brexit Relationship with EU

London: Prime Minister Andy Burnham will tell Parliament on Monday that Britain must consider a new and closer relationship with the European Union. He will argue that a fresh post-Brexit agreement with the bloc could boost economic growth and help control immigration.

Burnham, who campaigned for Britain to remain in the EU during the 2016 membership referendum, will mark the end of the parliamentary recess with a statement to lawmakers on the country’s approach to the bloc.

In a departure from his predecessor, Keir Starmer, who avoided reopening the long and divisive debate over Europe, Burnham is making the case that Britain has not benefited from Brexit. He says the country should take a “calm, clear-eyed look” at its ties with the EU once again.

“Andy understands why some politicians don’t want to face up to the reality that Brexit has not delivered what they once promised. But it is time for a different conversation about what our long-term relationship should be,” a source in Burnham’s Downing Street office said. “Sticking with the status quo and not working relentlessly to secure a good deal that boosts growth would be a major dereliction of duty.”

The Prime Minister will call on all parties to support his approach, arguing that it would be irresponsible to ignore the possibility of a new agreement.

Rejoining on the Table

At the Labour Party’s annual conference last month, Burnham said in a speech that it was time for Britain to weigh its options for its relationship with the EU, including rejoining. The suggestion received a cautious response from some of the bloc’s leaders.

According to opinion polls, public appetite for rejoining the EU has grown in recent years, with a majority of Britons now in favour. However, support tends to fall when respondents are asked about contributing to the EU budget and adopting the euro.