Prime Minister Andy Burnham has opened the door to a return to freedom of movement with the European Union, calling for an "honest discussion" as he eyes closer ties with Brussels.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, he said: "I think you have to have a very factual, quite evidence-based debate about this." The comments come as he examines options for a new relationship with the bloc ahead of a joint summit next month.
Political Backlash
The remarks triggered a furious response from the Conservatives and Reform UK. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "Andy Burnham knows full well that a return to EU free movement would mean handing back control of our borders and allowing uncontrolled migration from across Europe."
Philp added: "The British people voted to end free movement, and there can be no return to it. We need an immigration system - like the Conservatives' BORDERS plan - that is built in Britain, for Britain, not one that gives Brussels the power to decide who can live in our country."
Reform's Response
Reform's home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf described reintroducing freedom of movement as "insanity." He said: "It means 450 million people - plus anyone who can get their hands on citizenship of any EU country - will be eligible to move to the UK. With nothing to stop them."
Yusuf also claimed that since 2020, 750,000 migrants from Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Iraq and Eritrea have been granted EU citizenship, and that households with foreign nationals took a record £11.9 billion in Universal Credit welfare payments last year, the majority being EU nationals.
Manifesto Commitment
Burnham previously committed to Labour's 2024 election manifesto red lines on Brexit, which rule out rejoining the single market, the customs union, or returning to freedom of movement. Readers can have their say in an online poll on whether Britain should return to freedom of movement with the bloc.
