Burnham sparks backlash by putting free movement back on EU agenda

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reopened the debate about Britain's relationship with the European Union, saying the current Brexit settlement is not good enough and that a serious discussion about longer-term options should follow next month's UK-EU summit.

In a Commons statement and interviews, Burnham said: 'If we are serious about promoting growth, controlling immigration, upholding our values and security, it is a conversation we must have. Sticking with the status quo is not good enough for Britain. Worse, it would be a major dereliction of duty to turn away.' He added that the immediate priority was a successful outcome at the summit in Brussels on 20 November, after which there should be a 'serious dialogue about the different options for our relationship in the long term'. He said the British public would be 'the boss' at every stage.

The summit, postponed from the summer, is expected to cover areas such as sanitary and phytosanitary rules for animal products, emissions trading, energy and food, and a youth experience scheme. Ministers are keen to avoid the word 'mobility' because it is politically sensitive. Burnham has described the November meeting as a chance to deepen the relationship in the short term, while arguing that the longer-term question cannot be avoided.

The row intensified after an interview with the Sunday Times in which Burnham said freedom of movement had 'very significant challenges' but that the type of immigration it brought was perhaps less difficult than the current system. He contrasted 'revolving door' migration, where people came and returned, with the post-Brexit balance. He said: 'I think we've got to have an honest discussion about those things.' He also ruled out joining the euro or the Schengen area, but did not rule out free movement or a future manifesto commitment to rejoining.

That marks a shift from May, when Burnham was campaigning in the Makerfield by-election. He then said: 'My view is that Brexit has been damaging, but I also believe the last thing we should do right now is rerun those arguments. I'm not proposing that the UK considers rejoining the EU.' Labour's 2024 manifesto said there would be no return to freedom of movement, the single market or the customs union. Ministers now say those red lines apply in this parliament, and that Burnham is looking ahead to a 10-year plan rather than reopening the 2016 referendum.

The comments have drawn a sharp response. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, speaking in Doncaster, challenged Burnham to a debate and said: 'If Andy Burnham, the King of the North, wants a fight in Doncaster and the Red Wall with me on rejoining the European Union, then bring it on.' Farage claimed Burnham had given him 'the biggest boost' of his career. Reform said bringing back free movement would be a betrayal of Brexit voters. GB News also reported claims that rejoining could mean gross fees of up to 41 billion pounds a year and that hundreds of thousands of migrants from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Eritrea had become EU citizens since Brexit and could be free to come to Britain under free movement.

Conservative figures attacked the move. Kemi Badenoch said Burnham was unpicking the deal the country signed with the EU. Jeremy Hunt said he was 'absolutely astonished' and that allowing EU workers in would be a 'hammer blow' to plans to get young people off welfare and into work. He also warned that the EU was unlikely to accept limits on free movement. Some Labour MPs in Red Wall seats are reported to be nervous, with Makerfield voting about 65% Leave and Doncaster about 70% Leave in 2016.

Labour figures rallied to Burnham's defence. Angela Rayner said the government had been 'clear in our manifesto what those red lines are', but argued that 10 years on from the referendum it was right to have an honest conversation about the future relationship and the summit. Emily Thornberry said she thought it would be 'quite sensible' for Labour to include rejoining the EU in a future manifesto, though she accepted that free movement, Schengen and the euro were difficult issues. Stella Creasy called for the public to be asked again, saying 'the Europe we left doesn't exist'. Others, including former No 10 communications director Craig Oliver, described Burnham's move as politically astute pressure on the Conservatives but played down the prospect of an imminent referendum.

European leaders gave a mixed but largely warm response when asked about Britain returning. One said: 'If Britain is ready to come back, we're ready to welcome them.' Another said Britain should 'come back to the family', while a third said the UK must 'learn its lesson'. Polling suggests a majority of voters now think leaving the EU was a mistake and around 59% favour rejoining, but the issue remains lower salience than immigration, the cost of living, health and defence.

Burnham also faced questions about his language on Russian interference in the 2016 referendum, with Downing Street later clarifying that it regarded the referendum as legitimate. The exchange underlined the risks of a prime minister who often thinks aloud. With a budget due on Wednesday and the Brussels summit on 20 November, the Europe row is likely to dominate Westminster for weeks.