Andy Burnham today said Britain had “lost more than it gained” during the decade since the Brexit referendum, as he continued his campaign for a closer relationship with Brussels.
With a UK-EU summit due to take place next week, the Prime Minister said he was seeking a new agreement that could lower food prices and boost the earnings of British exporters.
Mr Burnham is expected to pursue agreements covering food, emissions trading and youth mobility. He has argued that the proposals could deliver a “win-win” outcome, potentially increasing GDP by 0.4 per cent, before the Government “explores options” for a different long-term relationship with the European bloc.
Opponents, however, warn that the proposed reset could ultimately cost the UK £750million a week in membership contributions and require Britain to adopt a new EU regulation every 12 hours.
Speaking at the Welsh Labour conference, the Prime Minister said difficult choices would be needed to bring down the cost of living.
“That is why, in a few days’ time, I will travel to the next UK-EU summit,” he said. “In the run-up to it, I will work hard to secure a new agreement on food and farming between the UK and the EU.
“Why am I doing that? Because I want to support Welsh businesses.
“I want to cut some of the red tape faced by food exporters when they try to send their products abroad. But, above all, I want to reduce food prices. If we secure the right deal, we can do that while lowering business costs and generating as much as 0.4 per cent in additional growth for the UK economy.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham speaking during the Welsh Labour conference today
He added: “Why wouldn’t I do that as Prime Minister? Why wouldn’t I lead in that way? The Conservatives are opposing any change and arguing that nothing should be done. But I do not believe Brexit, or the deal they secured, has delivered enough for Britain.
“I think we have lost more than we have gained over the past 10 years. I also believe the Conservatives delivered a tougher Brexit than many people understood they were voting for in 2016, because they burned bridges with the EU in the aftermath. I intend to lead on this issue and seek the best possible deal for Wales, Welsh farmers, exporters and producers of Welsh shellfish and lamb.”
The Prime Minister’s comments came after a new campaign group claimed that returning to the EU could cost Britain an extraordinary £750million every week.
Stay Out attributed the potential bill to the EU’s growing budget, higher borrowing costs and the loss of the special rebate negotiated by former prime minister Margaret Thatcher.
The warning recalls Vote Leave’s disputed campaign bus claim that £350million a week could be redirected from the EU to the NHS. According to the Stay Out analysis, the EU’s annual budget has since doubled, potentially leaving the UK with yearly payments of £39.3billion.
Alex Burghart, the Conservative deputy leader, accused Mr Burnham of using the UK-EU relationship to divert attention from rising welfare spending and concerns over defence funding.
“Almost a decade after the Brexit referendum, Andy Burnham is reopening an argument the country settled long ago while ignoring the problems Britain faces today,” he said.
“Rather than address the growing welfare bill, repair the economy and provide proper funding for defence, Burnham is preparing to send more money to Brussels in an attempt to distract from the situation his party has created.
“British taxpayers deserve an explanation for why money is being committed to projects across Europe when the Government says it cannot afford to deal with urgent priorities at home. A Conservative government would move the country forward, not take it backwards.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks in recent weeks have prompted speculation about whether the UK could eventually seek to rejoin the EU or restore freedom of movement. Mr Burnham has nevertheless insisted that voters would remain “the boss” of any future changes.
He also reaffirmed Labour’s manifesto red lines, which rule out returning to the customs union, the single market or free movement.
“People working together in unions, trade unions, but also unions of nations—that is what makes us who we are,” he told the conference.
“Yes, that includes working with the European Union, as I have said, while respecting the red lines in our manifesto and the result of the referendum.
“That is the approach I will take forward.”
Earlier this week, a parliamentary committee warned that Mr Burnham’s proposed agreement on EU food and farming rules could trigger a wave of new regulations in the UK.
The committee said the arrangement could require Britain to adopt “at least 780 pieces of EU law” each year—equivalent to two new regulations every day.