London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said it is 'inevitable' that the UK will rejoin the European Union. Speaking to reporters at the newly pedestrianised Oxford Street, Khan was asked about Andy Burnham's suggestion that the door was open to rejoining the alliance.
Khan said rising global tensions, particularly volatility in the White House, meant the time was right to think about turning the tide on Brexit.
Khan cites global tensions and trade ties
'At a time when you've got the current president of the United States ... when you look at what's happening in Iran in Ukraine, that's a source of concern,' Khan said. 'Our nearest power is our biggest trade partner. What he [Andy Burnham] is saying is that, at some stage we are going to rejoin some sort of reformed European Union.'
'Why delay the inevitable?' He added that there could be serious consequences to remaining outside the union, including 'fewer jobs and less prosperity'.
Burnham's position and PM's response
Since receiving the keys to Number 10, Burnham has repeatedly said he would consider 'going all the way' to rejoin the EU. But the Prime Minister confirmed today that he would not reinstate freedom of movement without a referendum.
Asked on Monday morning if he would allow the UK to join the EU freedom of movement scheme without a referendum, Burnham said: 'I was asked [on Sunday] about how things have changed in the 10 years since Brexit, and the truth of the matter is we've lost immigration control in the way that we once had.
'For instance, the small boats crisis has arisen in the last 10 years because we lost that returns agreement when people came here that we could work with other countries to return them.
'And when it comes to immigration more broadly, we're seeing a situation where people are coming here to settle permanently in a way that we had more revolving door migration in the EU.'
The Prime Minister added: 'I'm talking about practical steps to deal with the things that matter to people, and I will never move ahead of the British public when it comes to Brexit.'
Political reactions and Khan's stance
The UK narrowly voted to leave the EU in 2016, but the debate has raged on ever since. Both the Conservatives and Reform have heavily criticised the Prime Minister for suggesting the UK could return to the alliance.
Khan has consistently claimed Brexit has damaged the economy in London, saying it had been a 'catastrophic' decision. He has called for the removal of trade barriers for food and drink exporters and the return of freedom of movement to some degree.
He said: 'Rejoining the EU must be our destination.'
