Prime Minister Andy Burnham is facing renewed pressure to clarify whether his personal ambitions to take Britain back into the European Union now represent government policy, as he prepares for a summit in Brussels this month.
Burnham has repeatedly described his dealings with Brussels as a “reset”, but this weekend he warned that the upcoming summit “doesn’t need to be the end of our ambition”. The comment has reignited questions about his long-term intentions towards the bloc.
Ambition and the ‘Makerfield test’
Burnham has previously said he wants to take the country back into the EU within his lifetime, although in May he stated he was “not proposing” that Britain consider rejoining at all. Critics argue that his language points to a “road map back to Brussels” rather than a simple reset.
The Prime Minister has also referred to an “honest discussion” on the EU on several occasions, with Downing Street reportedly clarifying that such remarks reflect his personal view rather than government policy.
When Burnham won the Makerfield seat in June, he promised a “Makerfield test” at the heart of British politics, in a constituency where two-thirds of voters backed Leave in 2016. Recent polling suggests his own constituents prioritise British sovereignty over British laws, a position that could be threatened by membership of a customs union, the single market, or the EU itself.
Rejoin polls and referendum demands
Burnham has pointed to polls showing 56% of Britons would vote to rejoin the EU. However, other statistics indicate that 64% want a referendum before any decision to rejoin is made.
As he prepares to travel to Brussels, the Prime Minister is being urged to state plainly whether his personal wish is now government policy. The question remains unresolved, with no official confirmation of a change in the government’s position.
