Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said Britain should consider a range of options for its long-term relationship with the European Union, including the possibility of rejoining the bloc.
The comments signal a broader debate within the government over Britain’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU, but they do not amount to a decision to seek renewed membership. Burnham has also not announced plans for another referendum.
Speaking after Labour’s annual conference, Burnham outlined several possible approaches, including maintaining the current relationship, pursuing a customs union, joining the EU single market or potentially moving towards full membership.
“We have to look at what is doable,” Burnham said, adding that the advantages and disadvantages of the different options should be considered, according to Reuters’ report on his comments.
Burnham Signals Broader Review of Post-Brexit Ties
During Labour’s annual conference, Burnham said Brexit had done “more harm than good” and argued that Britain needed a clearer long-term relationship with its European neighbours.
His position represents a departure from Labour’s 2024 election commitments. The party’s 2024 general election manifesto ruled out a return to the single market and customs union, while Reuters reports that the previous government’s pledges also included remaining outside the EU.
Burnham has not endorsed any of those options as government policy. Instead, he has said they should form part of a wider assessment of Britain’s future relationship with the bloc.
The different arrangements would carry substantially different obligations.
A customs union could reduce some barriers affecting trade in goods, while single-market participation would require much closer alignment with EU rules and obligations.
Rejoining the European Union would go considerably further and would require negotiations with EU member states.
UK-EU Summit Expected to Shape Next Stage of Debate
Burnham has said he intends to outline the government’s options around the next UK-EU summit, which Reuters reports is due in November.
The government has separately confirmed that preparations are under way for the next EU-UK summit later in 2026. According to an official Downing Street statement, Burnham and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed working towards a successful outcome for the meeting during talks in September.
Burnham has also left open the question of how the British public might be involved if the government eventually decided to pursue a major change in the country’s relationship with the EU.
No new referendum has been scheduled. Reuters reported that Burnham described any decision on a future referendum as still some way off.
Macron and Sánchez Welcome Discussion of UK Return
European leaders have meanwhile responded positively to the possibility of Britain reconsidering its relationship with the bloc.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the prospect of a British return but warned that the UK could not selectively choose which elements of EU membership it wanted.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also expressed support for a possible British return, saying Spain would welcome the UK back, according to a separate Reuters report on the French and Spanish leaders’ comments.
What Happens Next
Attention will now turn to the expected November UK-EU summit and to the options Burnham says his government will present for Britain’s longer-term relationship with Europe.
For now, no formal policy to rejoin the EU, enter the single market or establish a customs union has been announced.
Any significant change would require the government to set out what arrangement it wants, what obligations Britain would accept and, potentially, how the public would be involved in such a decision.
