Labour Figures Push for Closer EU Ties Amidst Brexit Reassessment
Andy Burnham to meet EU chiefs in Brussels as debate intensifies over potential shifts in UK-EU relationship and migration policy.
Sarah Connor
Andy Burnham will meet with European Union chiefs on November 20 in Brussels.
Major General Duncan Capps, the UK's border security commander, confirmed the UK's desire to join Eurodac.
The prime minister previously committed to the red lines in Labour’s 2024 election manifesto, which ruled out the return of free movement, single market membership, or a customs union.
However, the prime minister also stated a new deal with Brussels could involve the UK going "all the way" and rejoining the EU.
Sadiq Khan urged Andy Burnham to consider reversing Brexit, pushing for agreements on food and drink standards and a youth 'free movement' scheme.
Lord Khan believes such deals would help move the UK towards the 'destination' of rejoining the EU, boosting the economy.
Burnham himself stated he could not imagine recommending the UK join the Schengen Area or adopt the euro, emphasizing the need for a "very factual, quite evidence-based debate" on migration.
Revolving door migration where people would come and then go back is different. The balance of migration has changed, hasn't it, since then? I think we've just got to have an honest discussion about those things.
Net migration in the UK peaked at 944,000 in the year to March 2023; it has since fallen to 171,000 last year.
Nigel Farage condemned any move towards closer EU ties, stating, "This is a total betrayal of Brexit Britain and his Makerfield pitch. He is also deluded to say immigration was different when we were members of the EU. We will fight this dishonesty."
The British people voted to end free movement, and there can be no return to it.
Chris Philp echoed this sentiment, asserting, "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." Any fundamental change in the UK-EU relationship will likely wait until after a general election, expected by 2029.