Prime Minister Andy Burnham has suggested it is "possible" Labour's next election manifesto could include an in-out referendum or even a pledge to rejoin the European Union (EU).
Speaking at the close of the Labour party conference at the ACC in Liverpool on Wednesday (30 September), Mr Burnham said "this isn't about leaping to a referendum" as he seeks to determine a political consensus on the UK's future relationship with Brussels. He added, however, that if public opinion is "pointing towards" backing re-entry into the EU, he could commit to holding a vote on the issue.
Burnham refuses to rule out rejoining pledge
Mr Burnham also declined to rule out skipping a referendum and fighting the next general election on a promise to rejoin. In his first Labour Party conference speech as leader, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester said Brexit had done "more harm than good" and promised to set out the options to the country around the time of a UK-EU summit, which he said would be in November.
He blamed Brexit for a decade of drift and division in the UK, telling ITV News: "I can't avoid the Europe question if I'm to put out a credible 10-year plan for Britain." Asked whether that could mean sticking to the status quo, he said: "I don't know what Europe will say about the different options."
EU leaders welcome comments
French President Emmanuel Macron and Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, speaking at a joint press conference in Madrid, welcomed his remarks. Mr Macron said it was "very good news" for both the UK and Europe, quipping: "Welcome back." Mr Sanchez said Brexit was a "huge loss" for the UK population and the EU project, and that Spain would "open its arms" to the UK if it decided to rejoin.
A European Commission spokesperson said: "The UK is a close and valued partner of the European Union. It is for the UK Government to set out how it wishes to develop its relationship with the EU going forward." They added: "We remain open to engaging on the options it may put forward."
