United Kingdom Prime Minister Andy Burnham has indicated that while his government’s current focus is on strengthening trade relations with the European Union, he does not rule out the possibility of campaigning for the UK to rejoin the EU in the next Labour Party manifesto. Burnham’s comments come amid ongoing efforts to reset ties between the UK and the EU following Brexit.

Burnham held his first meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently, where discussions centered on advancing a UK/EU summit expected to take place later this year. The summit aims to address practical agreements that could bolster the British economy and include issues such as youth mobility. However, officials have privately expressed concerns that momentum on the “EU reset” has slowed since Burnham took office, with the summit’s timing potentially subject to further delays. One sticking point involves EU legislation known as the “made in Europe” proposal, which is intended to limit China’s influence but may inadvertently impact British industry and supply chains.

The prime minister acknowledged these concerns and committed to raising them constructively with von der Leyen. He emphasized that the UK enjoys significant support from some EU member states on this issue, noting that both the UK and EU face common challenges, particularly in sectors like steel. Burnham urged a collaborative approach to avoid unnecessary harm, particularly to sensitive supply chains between the UK and Ireland, which he described as potentially becoming “collateral damage” if disagreements persist.

While he reaffirmed adherence to Labour leader Keir Starmer’s stipulations against reversing Brexit ahead of an election, Burnham acknowledged internal party pressures from MPs who opposed Brexit and see potential economic benefits in reconsidering the country’s EU membership. Asked whether a reversal could feature in Labour’s next manifesto, Burnham indicated that reopening that debate was a matter for the future and framed it as secondary to securing closer trade arrangements.

In remarks ahead of his address to the United Nations General Assembly, Burnham reflected on the ten years since Brexit, warning of ongoing risks to democratic processes from external interference and misinformation. He said the UK must be more vigilant and proactive in confronting such challenges as it enters a new decade.

Overall, Burnham’s statements highlight a pragmatic approach that prioritizes rebuilding practical ties with European partners, while leaving the option of rejoining the EU open for future political consideration. The evolving dialogue underscores the complexity of UK-EU relations in the post-Brexit era and the balancing act facing British leadership between economic interests, political realities, and party dynamics.