Andy Burnham Open to Restoring Free Movement in Relations with the EU

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is open to considering the possible reintroduction of free movement with the European Union, ahead of the British-European summit scheduled to take place in Brussels on 20 November. The statement marks a possible change of direction in post-Brexit relations, amid discussions on immigration and cooperation with the EU.

The Labour Party leader said the UK needs an honest discussion about how immigration has evolved since Brexit. Burnham argued that migration is different from the period before the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, when the temporary movement of workers between the UK and European countries was more common.

The prime minister pledged to respect the Labour Party’s 2024 election platform, which rules out a return to free movement, joining the single market and entering a customs union with the EU. Any major change could be subject to an electoral mandate at the next general election, which is not expected before 2029.

Burnham ruled out joining the Schengen Area and the eurozone. At the November summit, London and Brussels hope to reach agreements on trade in food and beverages, youth mobility and emissions trading. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the statements as “a total betrayal of British Brexit”.