Andy Burnham has distanced himself from calls to reverse Brexit as tensions mount ahead of a potential Labour leadership contest with Wes Streeting. The Greater Manchester Mayor, who is standing for Parliament in the Makerfield by-election, said Britain would be stuck in a 'permanent rut' if it revisited the arguments of the 2016 referendum.
Speaking at the Great Northern Investment Summit, Mr Burnham acknowledged Brexit had been damaging but insisted the priority should be unity and economic growth. 'It is time to bring people back together, to focus on what we've got in common,' he said. He made clear he is not proposing rejoining the EU and respects the referendum result.
Mr Burnham's comments follow remarks by Mr Streeting, who described Brexit as a 'catastrophic mistake' and suggested Britain could one day rejoin the bloc. Both men have indicated they would stand for the Labour leadership if a contest is triggered, with Mr Burnham expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer if he wins the by-election.
The Mayor criticised the Labour Party's recent performance, saying it had not been 'good enough' and had lost the trust of voters in the North. 'I want to help fix that,' he said, adding that a vote for him would be a vote to change Labour.
Mr Streeting, a former health secretary, argued that leaving the EU had left Britain 'less wealthy, less powerful and less in control' and called for a new special relationship with Europe. The by-election campaign has placed Brexit at its centre, an unwelcome development for Mr Burnham as he seeks to return to Parliament.
