British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed openness to reconsidering the European Union’s free movement rules as part of the United Kingdom’s future relationship with the bloc. Speaking ahead of a scheduled UK-EU summit in Brussels next month, Burnham outlined plans to present various options aimed at strengthening ties with Europe.

Burnham, a member of the Labour Party, has previously suggested the possibility of the UK applying to rejoin the EU in the future. In recent comments, he emphasized the need for an “honest discussion” about changes in immigration patterns since Brexit, which took effect in early 2020.

Immigration was a central issue in the 2016 referendum that resulted in the UK’s narrow decision to leave the EU, a vote largely driven by concerns over the impact of free movement. Burnham noted that immigration since Brexit has differed from the previous trend, which was characterized by more transient flows. “Revolving door migration where people would come and then go back is different,” he said, highlighting a shift in the balance of migration to the UK.

The British prime minister acknowledged that the current immigration situation presents new challenges compared to the pre-Brexit period, calling for a frank evaluation of these developments. His comments signal a potential policy direction that could involve partial or full reintroduction of EU free movement provisions, though specific details remain under consideration.

The upcoming summit with EU officials is expected to focus on defining the future framework of UK-EU relations, with migration policies likely to be among the critical topics discussed. Burnham’s remarks suggest an openness within the UK government to revisit some aspects of the previous arrangements in pursuit of closer cooperation with the European Union.