Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called for an 'honest discussion' about the UK's future relationship with the European Union, but has ruled out rejoining the bloc within this Parliament. Speaking in a series of interviews on Monday (October 26), Mr Burnham addressed questions about the UK potentially returning to the EU.
No Changes This Parliament
Mr Burnham insisted he will "never move ahead of the British public when it comes to Brexit". He told ITV's Good Morning Britain: "I'm not proposing any changes in this Parliament. I'm not going to move away from the red lines that were in the Labour manifesto."
When asked whether he would allow the UK to reinstate EU freedom of movement without a referendum, Mr Burnham said 'no'. He also ruled out an early general election but left the door open to fighting the next vote on a promise to rejoin the EU.
Future Election Promise
Asked when the public could expect to see a manifesto proposing a return to the EU, Mr Burnham said: "No time soon, if at all, it's not. It's not about that. My mind isn't on that. I don't know if that is coming over here, but it genuinely is not on that. There is no election coming anytime soon."
Later, while speaking to reporters during a visit to a homelessness charity, Mr Burnham was asked whether there could be a return to freedom of movement without a referendum. He replied: "No, I mean I wasn't saying that yesterday. I was asked 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."
Government Response
Following his comments, No 10 denied it was backtracking after Mr Burnham left the door open to a potential referendum on freedom of movement. A Downing Street spokeswoman said the government is 'not at that stage yet'.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the Commons on Monday that Mr Burnham's call for an honest discussion is 'not the same as settled policy'. She said: "The Prime Minister has also observed that there were very significant issues with freedom of movement when we were within the EU. An honest debate means actually being honest about all of the aspects of that debate and not cherry-picking."
Mr Burnham is set to meet EU chiefs, including European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, for a key summit in Brussels on November 20.
