Andy Burnham has indicated that Britain’s future relationship with the European Union could eventually include rejoining, as he launched a fierce attack on Brexit and those who backed it.
In his Labour conference address, the Prime Minister ridiculed Brexiteers and argued that the 2016 referendum had caused “more harm than good”, contributing to what he described as a “decade of division”.
He said a proposed summit with EU leaders—already delayed several times—would provide an opportunity to outline “the different options for Britain’s long-term relationship with our European partners”.
His remarks came as Labour figures urged the party to promise rejoining the EU in its next general election manifesto. Downing Street declined to rule out the possibility after the speech.
“I will see if we can find consensus around one which will give us clarity about the future on our continent,” he said.
Taking aim at Conservative supporters who campaigned to leave the EU, Mr Burnham mocked their slogan of “taking back control”. “Never let them forget: they are the ones who gave it away in the first place,” he said.
He argued that Brexit had failed to deliver the greater national control promised by its supporters, saying Britain had instead lost influence over its economy after a decade of weak growth.
“And we’ve lost some of our control over immigration,” he added.
Officials said Labour’s current red lines—ruling out a return to the EU or the single market, including its freedom-of-movement rules—would remain in place only until the next election.
The Prime Minister used his Labour conference speech to criticise Brexiteers, arguing that the 2016 vote had created a “decade of division” across Britain.
He said a planned but repeatedly postponed summit with EU leaders would be used to present “the different options for Britain’s long-term relationship with our European partners”.
The Prime Minister’s intervention followed a series of calls from senior Labour figures for Britain to consider rejoining the European Union.
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has urged Mr Burnham to “start the work now” of persuading the public about the “benefits” of returning to the bloc.
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He said it was “not enough” for the Prime Minister merely to suggest that closer ties with Brussels could feature in a future election manifesto.
Mr Burnham said he would “work to secure gains for our industries most harmed by Brexit”, arguing that Britain could not establish a clear economic path for the rest of the century until it settled on a long-term relationship with what remains its biggest market.
“I cannot say to you truthfully that where we are is good enough. Brexit has done more harm than good,” he said.
“We need to restore a higher level of growth and prosperity for Britain.”
He said the summit would allow him to explain to the country what he considers to be the possible long-term arrangements between Britain and its European partners. “And there are different options,” he said.
“I will see if we can find consensus around one which will give us clarity about our position and the future on our continent that we live in.”
However, the Prime Minister faces a difficult task in securing a favourable deal with the EU. Reports suggest the summit, originally scheduled for July, may not take place at all.
The two sides are at loggerheads over a ‘made in Europe’ law currently going through the European Parliament that is designed to protect the continent’s manufacturing from global competition, especially from China.
The UK wants to be included in the scheme, which would give EU firms priority for public contracts and subsidies.
Concerns have been raised that UK industries including car manufacturing and steel would suffer if the plan shut out British firms that trade across the UK-EU border.
Labour is said to have offered to cut tuition fees for EU students at UK universities, putting them on a par with those paid by domestic students, as a sweetener.
The Government is also prepared to lift the cap on a proposed youth mobility scheme, giving visa-free access to Britain for up to 100,000 under-30s.
But the EU is said to be demanding those concessions form part of the wider reset, saying it is not possible for the UK to join the ‘made in Europe’ scheme.
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