UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed dissatisfaction with the current Brexit agreement, stating it falls short of serving Britain’s best interests. In his view, the departure from the European Union has negatively impacted the UK’s economy and complicated efforts to manage irregular migration. Despite these concerns, Burnham ruled out any significant changes to the UK’s relationship with the EU during the current parliamentary term.
Burnham critiqued the form of Brexit that was ultimately implemented, describing it as harsher than what voters were promised during the 2016 referendum. He noted that the expected benefits of Brexit, particularly in terms of economic performance and immigration control, have not materialized as anticipated.
When questioned about the possibility of the UK rejoining the EU, Burnham acknowledged he would welcome such a development within his lifetime. However, he emphasized that any move towards EU membership should align with the wishes of the British public. For now, his focus remains on enhancing the current arrangements through practical measures rather than proposing EU membership in the near term.
On the topic of immigration, Burnham argued that Brexit has made it more challenging to repatriate individuals who enter the UK irregularly. He also expressed his backing for proposed stricter settlement rules for foreign workers, advocating that permanent residency should be earned rather than granted by default.
Looking ahead, Burnham pointed to the upcoming UK-EU summit on November 20 as a potential opportunity to negotiate agreements that could benefit British food manufacturers and other businesses affected by trade barriers resulting from Brexit.
Amidst this discourse, the government is grappling with varied pressures concerning its European policy. Some Labour representatives, especially from constituencies that supported Brexit, have raised concerns that revisiting the debate could provide political leverage to opposition parties.
Burnham reiterated that the government has no intention of revisiting the Brexit referendum, underscoring the importance of letting voters decide the future course of the UK’s relationship with the EU. He also dismissed the likelihood of an early general election, while calling for the upcoming budget to offer greater economic stability for households and businesses.