Burnham leaves door open to return to EU
The British prime minister wants to examine various models for the future relationship with the European Union.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham says that a return by the United Kingdom to the European Union is also among the options. He stresses that this is not an immediate government decision, but part of a broader discussion about the relationship after Brexit.
Burnham told the BBC that Britain should consider various possibilities: maintaining the current arrangements, joining a customs union, moving closer to the single market or ultimately rejoining the European Union. He said the options should be assessed for feasibility and their advantages and disadvantages.
The statement follows his first speech as Labour prime minister at the party conference. There, Burnham said that in his view Brexit had caused more harm than good. In previous statements, he had already said that he would like to see Britain rejoin the EU during his lifetime, but that does not mean his government is now preparing an application.
The United Kingdom left the European Union after the 2016 referendum and ended the transition period at the end of 2020. Since then, trade, border procedures and cooperation with the EU have been governed by separate agreements. A return would therefore not simply mean that old arrangements came back into force.
A customs union could mainly facilitate trade in goods, while joining the single market would involve more far-reaching rules and oversight. Full EU membership would require renewed negotiations on terms, powers and obligations. Burnham has set no timetable or preferred model.
The British government wants to speak with European partners about the long-term relationship later this year. The precise agenda and date of a new summit have not yet been set. Nor is it clear whether the Labour Party would include a possible return to EU membership in an election manifesto.
The statement has brought the Brexit debate back into political view, but for now changes nothing about the United Kingdom’s existing legal position. For European businesses and citizens, what matters most is which concrete model London ultimately chooses; the current statement remains an exploration of options, not a policy decision.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Burnham mentions several possible future relationships with the EU.
- No decision has been made on returning to EU membership.
- The United Kingdom remains outside the EU for the time being.
Left
Arguments A closer relationship or a return could restore trade, labour mobility and shared standards. From this perspective, Brexit has primarily been a source of economic and social harm.
Values European cooperation, open borders and collective protection.
Consequences Closer alignment could simplify trade and cooperation, but would require new agreements on powers and migration.
Centre
Arguments The institutional route is gradual: first improve practical cooperation, and only then decide on further integration. A broad assessment of costs and benefits is preferable to symbolic Brexit rhetoric.
Values Pragmatism, administrative stability and feasibility.
Consequences An intermediate model could deliver benefits quickly without immediately opening a new constitutional conflict.
Right
Arguments From this perspective, a return to the EU would ignore the referendum result and once again transfer powers to European institutions. National control over borders, rules and legislation is central.
Values Sovereignty, democratic accountability and control over immigration.
Consequences Closer ties could reignite domestic divisions and prolong uncertainty for businesses and voters.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The core is based on Reuters and AP and supplemented with official British government information. The text avoids suggesting that a return is already policy or part of a concrete negotiating process.
- confirmed Burnham names a return to the EU as one of several options. — Reuters quotes his conversation with the BBC and mentions the various models. source
- confirmed Burnham said that in his view Brexit had caused more harm than good. — Reuters and AP describe this statement at the Labour conference. source
- confirmed The United Kingdom left the EU after the 2016 referendum. — Reuters provides this Brexit background. source
- confirmed The British government has not yet established a concrete model or timetable for a return. — The official government pages consulted contain no decision on a return to the EU; Reuters describes the statement as an exploration of options. source
Editor's note
It is certain that Burnham mentioned EU membership as a possible option. The eventual choice, timetable and whether Labour includes this in an election manifesto remain uncertain.Sources
- Burnham says Britain should weigh EU options, including rejoining bloc — Reuters via MarketScreener
- PM speech at UNGA: 22 September 2026 — GOV.UK
- The Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP — GOV.UK
- Move to rejoin EU among options for UK, says Burnham — AP News
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