Andy Burnham's decision to reopen the Brexit debate is being described as one of the worst decisions any Prime Minister has taken, with Labour MPs increasingly nervous and reports of open warfare within the Cabinet. One Minister is reported to have asked: "Why ... have you opened this can of worms?"
Plan announced at party conference
The Prime Minister announced his plan at Labour's annual conference, saying he would consult the British people about a new long-term relationship with the EU. Later briefings to journalists from his staff made clear that this new relationship could stretch to fully re-joining the EU, which Mr Burnham has said he supports, although he has conceded it could only happen if British voters backed the idea.
It took time for the implications to sink in. A small group of enthusiasts, such as former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell, want to restart the Brexit argument, but most people remember the Brexit period with horror, including Labour MPs.
Memory of Brexit turmoil
The talk of a "meaningful vote", a possible second referendum, and late-night sittings of the House of Commons was a dreadful period for politicians and the UK, making the country look confused to the rest of the world.
Boris Johnson won a huge election victory in 2019 with the slogan "get Brexit done". The slogan worked because the entire nation wanted to conclude Brexit and move on, even remainers felt that way.
Possible backtracking
Andy Burnham often sounds like he wants to return the UK to the 1970s, when unions ruled and Margaret Thatcher wasn't yet in power. His plan also risks taking the country back to 2017, when Theresa May as Prime Minister led a nation and Parliament torn in two by Brexit disagreements.
There are signs the Prime Minister may be backtracking on his plan to reverse Brexit. It would be a humiliating u-turn, but it would still be better than the alternative, as the British public does not want another long, angry and boring row about Europe.
