Andy Burnham has claimed public opinion on Brexit has changed in Makerfield, where he won a by-election in June. A straw poll of 20 people in Ashton found around a quarter now hold different views, but many remain entrenched on both sides.
Mixed views on Gerard Street
During an ITV documentary on Tuesday (November 3), Mr Burnham was asked whether he had consulted constituents about bringing back freedom of movement. He insisted he had not proposed such a policy, adding: "I do believe that we should have an honest discussion with people about how immigration has changed since the Brexit vote."
In Ashton, the largest town in the constituency, reactions were mixed. June Parker, 41, from Winstanley, said: "My views haven't changed a bit. I voted leave then and would do the same tomorrow." She added that Mr Burnham should focus on "energy costs and immigration" rather than old arguments.
Voter regret and entrenched positions
Alison Matthews, 56, from Ashton, who voted leave in 2016, expressed "voter regret," saying many people may have made a different choice if the facts had been presented honestly. Lorraine Williams from Newton-le-Willows said she believed the referendum was "a stitch up." In contrast, John Bullough, 53, from Hindley, said a democratic decision was made and there was no point returning to the debate.
In the 2016 referendum, 65 per cent of Makerfield voters backed leave, making it the 75th most leave-supporting constituency in the country.
Trade deals and future relations
This week, the UK and EU agreed a draft deal on removing post-Brexit checks on food and agriculture exports. Mr Burnham said the public would expect the Government to pursue closer trade ties to boost growth. He said: "We're not in the EU, therefore, we do have to work with them in a different way."
Callum Fearon, 38, from Ashton, supported closer trade deals without unravelling the UK's status outside the EU. Mike Wadsworth, 77, from Abram, argued the departure was "not implemented strongly enough." Jane Powell, 62, a former WRAC soldier, said Britain should "stand on its own." Ed Nightingale, 26, who was too young to vote in 2016, said opinions had probably changed because leaving "hasn't given the things that people expected."
Mr Burnham also wants to secure deals on food and drink, emissions trading, and a youth mobility scheme at a Brussels summit on November 20, which is set to agree billions of pounds of trade deals covering issues from youth visas to pet passports.
