British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signaled a shift toward rebuilding closer ties with the European Union, a move that could reignite longstanding divisions over the country’s post-Brexit relationship with the bloc. Speaking at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool on September 29, Burnham characterized Brexit as having caused more harm than benefit and outlined his intention to pursue a consensus on the future of Britain’s engagement with the EU.
Marking a decade since the 2016 referendum that led to Britain’s exit from the EU, Burnham emphasized the need to revisit the terms of the country’s relationship with its largest trading partner to foster economic growth and stability. He highlighted an upcoming summit with EU leaders in November as a key opportunity to clarify potential options and work toward an agreement that could benefit the nation.
“I will take the opportunity around the summit to lay out to you, to lay out to the country, what I believe the different options are for Britain’s long-term relationship with our European partners,” Burnham said, adding that he would seek consensus on one of these paths.
Public sentiment appears to align in part with Burnham’s vision. A YouGov poll conducted in June found that 55% of voters supported rejoining the EU, though a separate survey question indicated stronger support—59%—for closer ties with the bloc that fall short of full membership, single market access, or customs union participation.
The EU has expressed openness to enhancing cooperation with Britain, particularly in areas of security and defense, but has not yet detailed specific goals for the forthcoming summit.
Burnham’s approach continues the trajectory set by his predecessor, Labour leader Keir Starmer. The effort to forge broader agreement within a politically divided Britain, however, faces significant challenges. Critics from the right, including Richard Tice, deputy leader of the Reform UK party, condemned Burnham’s stance as a surreptitious attempt to rejoin the EU, framing it as a betrayal of Brexit supporters.
“Andy Burnham has barely been prime minister five minutes and he’s already trying to sneak us back into Brussels via the back door,” Tice said, warning that Reform UK would resist any such moves.
Recent opinion polls place Labour marginally ahead of Reform UK, with the Conservative Party trailing behind.
Burnham has previously expressed a desire to see Britain rejoin the EU during his lifetime but has reiterated that he respects the 2016 referendum outcome and is not currently advocating full membership. His push for closer EU ties comes amid growing geopolitical uncertainty, with heightened tensions in Europe and shifting U.S. policies under President Donald Trump influencing trade, defense spending, and alliances.
Against this backdrop, Britain is pressing the EU to expand its collective defense investment program and to include the UK in a broader “Made in Europe” industrial initiative, despite earlier unsuccessful attempts to join these schemes.
As Burnham prepares to engage with EU leaders, his proposals will test the political landscape in a nation still navigating the complex aftermath of Brexit.