Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to deliver his most critical assessment of Brexit to date, accusing supporters of refusing to accept the harm caused by the UK's departure from the European Union. In remarks prepared for the Lord Mayor's Banquet in London on Monday evening, he will liken the situation to the Emperor's new clothes, stating that no one is prepared to say the obvious truth. "Well, I say it as I see it. And to be frank, the Emperor has nothing on," he is expected to say.
Brexit's Economic Impact
Mr Burnham, who has set Britain on a course for closer EU ties including possibly rejoining the bloc, will stress that quitting the EU has wiped billions off Britain's trade. "The Brexit we were given has not worked," he is due to say. "We have lost more than we gained."
London Mayor Lord Sadiq Khan has led Labour calls for the UK to become a member of the European Union again.
Three Conditions for an Agreement
Ahead of a UK-EU summit on Friday in Brussels, Mr Burnham was set to lay out three conditions for any agreement. First, it must be consistent with Labour's election manifesto and Government red lines, meaning no return to the Single Market, the Customs Union, or freedom of movement. However, the PM has put all these options on the table in the longer term and says he would like to see the UK back in the EU in his lifetime.
Second, it must improve the Brexit deal and bring it closer, in his view, to what people thought they were voting for in 2016, rather than the "hard Brexit that no one ever seriously argued for in the referendum." Third, it must pass the so-called Makerfield test, the constituency he represents, by delivering "real, tangible improvements in people's everyday lives," particularly for "neglected" communities.
Any deal, he added, must cut costs for businesses, ease pressure on prices for consumers, and create more opportunities for young people. He argues that there is a deal to be struck with the EU which could raise GDP by 0.4%, including on food and farming, emissions trading, and a youth mobility scheme.
Political Reactions
Mr Burnham accused the Tories of "burning all our bridges" in the aftermath of the Brexit vote. Nigel Farage, who led the Leave campaign with Boris Johnson, believes Mr Burnham's EU moves will boost support for Reform UK. Some of Mr Burnham's Cabinet ministers have made clear they are concerned that he risks alienating some Labour supporters who voted for the UK to quit the EU a decade ago.
Conservative Deputy Leader Alex Burghart accused the Prime Minister of "reopening a debate the country settled long ago, while ignoring the challenges facing Britain today." He said: "Instead of tackling the spiralling welfare bill, fixing our economy, and properly funding our defence, Burnham is preparing to hand Brussels more money in an effort to distract from the mess his party has gotten us into."
