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Andy Burnham has said a second Brexit referendum is a possibility as part of his review of Britain’s relationship with the EU.
The Prime Minister said the UK’s position in Europe “is not good enough” and that he would consider a whole range of options including rejoining the EU, returning to the customs union and a Canada-style associate membership.
Burnham told Labour members in his first party conference speech on Tuesday that Brexit had done more harm than good and promised to set out options for the country’s future relationship around the time of the next summit with Brussels in November.
Speaking to broadcasters on Wednesday, he told the BBC it was possible Labour’s next election manifesto could include a pledge to hold an in-out referendum on the EU, or to rejoin the bloc without another vote.
In comments that will dismay Leave voters, Burnham told Channel 4 News: “I would not rule anything out at this moment” when asked if he could skip another referendum and put rejoining the EU straight in the manifesto.
Pressed on whether he could promise an in-out referendum after the next election, he told the BBC: “Yeah, things are possible” but that he would proceed with great care because referendums do damage and divide households and communities.
The revelation comes after Burnham confirmed the UK could rejoin the EU and said Britain should weigh EU options including rejoining the bloc.
The Times reports Andy Burnham says a second Brexit referendum is an option for Labour’s next manifesto, while mass migration fears grow after Burnham admits he could drag UK back into the EU and open borders to half a billion people.
In a huge shift from May when he promised not to re-run Brexit arguments, Burnham now says his constituency had a majority to leave a decade ago but now according to polls has a majority to return.
“I said in my lifetime, and I have said that. I am not going to pull back from that,” Burnham said when asked if he still wants to rejoin in his lifetime.
European leaders have urged him on. Emmanuel Macron said it would be excellent news and a good decision, while Pedro Sanchez said Spain would welcome Britain back with open arms.
In Brussels, the European Commission said it was ready to discuss the future relationship, including the possibility of the UK rejoining the bloc. “The UK is a close and valued partner of the European Union. It is for the UK Government to set out how it wishes to develop its relationship,” a spokesman told The Telegraph.
One EU source warned there would be no prospect of Britain retaining the rebate won by Margaret Thatcher if it rejoined, meaning Britain would pay at least 5 billion pounds more a year than it did as a member.
The pledge to re-open the Brexit debate has dismayed some Labour MPs, who think it will create further division. Sir Keir Starmer had set out plans for an EU reset on food standards and a youth mobility scheme, but not a second referendum.
Latest: Burnham second referendum plan
- Andy Burnham says second Brexit referendum possible in Labour manifesto
- Could also fight election on pledge to rejoin without referendum
- Options include customs union, associate membership, and full rejoin
- Macron and Sanchez welcome move, EU says ready to talk
- Burnham admits referendums divide households but would not rule one out
Should there be a second Brexit referendum? Should Burnham be allowed to rejoin without a vote? Have your say in the comments and share if you voted Leave in 2016.
FAQ: Second Brexit referendum
Is a second Brexit referendum happening?
Andy Burnham has said it is possible Labour’s next election manifesto could include a pledge to hold a new in-out referendum on the European Union.
Could Britain rejoin the EU without a referendum?
Burnham told Channel 4 News he would not rule out fighting the next election on a promise to rejoin the EU without holding another referendum.
What are the options for UK EU relations?
The options being considered are staying as we are, a customs union backed by George Osborne, Canada-style associate membership, and going all the way to full EU membership around the November UK-EU summit.
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Cnut.
Since the 2016 referendum, Britain’s economy has grown by 12.4 per cent, outperforming Germany’s 6 per cent and Italy’s 9.7 per cent. France only marginally beat the UK at 12.7 per cent, suggesting that the “financial apocalypse” predicted by Remainers has not materialised.
The EU’s share of global GDP has shrunk from 17 per cent in 2016 to 13 per cent today, making it a “shrinking force” that Britain should not hitch itself to.
UK exported £385 billion of goods to the EU in 2025, up from £249 billion in 2016. Furthermore, Britain has secured new trade agreements with nations like Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Singapore, and joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), none of which “dictate our laws in return.”
None of which we could do if in the EU.
Brexit gave us back our sovereign right to create new laws to defend our borders and overseas territories, the uniparty squandered it.
Add to that the fact the EU are going to use EU citizens bank savings to try to save their industry and are about to launch the Central Bank Digital Euro tells you we shouldn’t touch them with a barge pole.
I won’t even mention the EU Digital ID.