Andy Burnham, the prime minister of the United Kingdom, has indicated that the country could consider rejoining the European Union, describing the possibility of “going all the way” back to full EU membership as part of a broader reassessment of Britain’s post-Brexit relationship with Brussels. Burnham’s comments came in a series of interviews following his keynote speech at the Labour conference, where he acknowledged that Brexit had caused “more harm than good.”
Burnham outlined a range of options for the UK's future engagement with the EU, from maintaining the current arrangements, entering a customs union, rejoining the single market, to full EU membership. Speaking to the BBC, he stressed the government would weigh “what is doable” alongside the potential benefits and drawbacks of each path. When asked if he wanted the UK to rejoin the bloc, Burnham emphasized his intention to “look at the options,” highlighting that staying as things are remains a viable choice for many.
A customs union would align Britain and the EU on goods tariffs, potentially eliminating certain trade barriers that have emerged since Brexit. However, it would not restore full single market access or remove all border checks. Returning to the single market would require deeper regulatory alignment with the EU. Full membership, the most significant departure from current policy, would reintegrate the UK into the EU’s political and economic structures.
This stance marks a notable shift from Labour’s position during the 2024 general election, in which its manifesto rejected a return to the EU single market, customs union, and freedom of movement. Burnham has not committed to any timelines or specific measures but indicated that Britain must resolve its long-term relationship with its largest trading partner to progress.
The prime minister plans to clarify these options around the time of the upcoming UK-EU summit in November. The summit had originally been scheduled for July under former Labour leader Keir Starmer but was postponed following Starmer’s resignation. Burnham described the country’s current situation as “a rut,” emphasizing the need for improved relations with Europe to address challenges in trade, migration, and cooperation.
While the UK will rejoin the Erasmus+ student exchange scheme in 2027, discussions continue over enhanced cooperation in electricity markets, food trade, and youth mobility. Burnham noted that Brexit had weakened the UK’s collaboration with EU countries, particularly regarding migration policies, and suggested the summit would explore avenues for closer engagement.
On the domestic front, Burnham was more reserved when discussing potential government support for households facing rising energy and fuel costs this winter. He indicated that all options were under consideration, including the possibility of scrapping planned fuel duty increases, but stressed the need to balance assistance with fiscal responsibility. Chancellor John Healey has signaled a commitment to “fiscal discipline” in the forthcoming budget despite calls for expanded cost-of-living support.