Burnham says UK would not return to EU free movement without a referendum
The prime minister answered a question about a possible return to free movement, while Downing Street clarified that he is proposing no particular option.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday, 26 October, that he would not allow the UK to return to EU freedom of movement without a referendum. The answer sets a condition on any future change, while Downing Street says he is proposing neither a return nor any particular alternative as the UK prepares for talks with the EU.
Burnham answered ‘no’ when journalists asked whether he would allow the UK to join the EU freedom-of-movement scheme without a referendum, The Guardian reported. The dpa report carried by the South China Morning Post also said he was asked about that condition on Monday morning. His answer followed weekend interviews in which he called for an ‘honest discussion’ about the UK’s future relationship with the EU.
What Downing Street said about free movement
A Downing Street spokesperson said Burnham was not proposing a return to freedom of movement or setting out any particular option. She said he was ‘not leaning either way’ and wanted a conversation with the public about the UK’s long-term relationship with Europe, according to The Guardian.
The spokesperson said the government was not yet confirming whether the public would decide on proposals to move closer to the EU. That leaves the form of any future public decision unsettled, even though Burnham gave an explicit answer about a referendum before a return to free movement.
Labour’s current limits and the November summit
Burnham said he would not move away from the red lines in Labour’s manifesto during this Parliament. He ruled out the UK rejoining the EU within the current parliamentary term and said he would not move ahead of the public on a longer-term change. He has also said he would like to see the UK rejoin the EU in his lifetime, while insisting that voters must decide, The Guardian reported.
The comments add a specific referendum condition to Burnham’s earlier call for public debate. NewsJaws previously covered his call for a discussion about EU free movement, when he had announced no policy change.
Burnham is due to attend a UK-EU summit in Brussels on 20 November. Downing Street said his immediate focus was on practical arrangements it hopes to make there. Burnham has argued that the current Brexit deal has weakened the UK economy and its control of immigration, according to The Guardian.
Read in depth: Politics
John Healey’s Budget: bank, gambling and online VAT measures among possible revenue options
BBC analysis examines ways the chancellor could raise money without increasing income tax rates ahead of the 28 October Budget. None of the measures discussed is a confirmed...
UK plans military aircraft support for wildfires ahead of first resilience summit
Fire services across the UK are set to be able to request RAF aircraft for difficult wildfires, alongside plans for specialist protective equipment and an AI unit.
Sources and context
- No 10 clarifies Andy Burnham’s stance on freedom of movementThe Guardian
- Burnham rules out UK return to EU free movement without referendumSouth China Morning Post (dpa)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.