Burnham: Brexit deal insufficient, economy weakened

Prime Minister Andy Burnham declared on Monday that the current Brexit arrangement is not good enough for Britain. Speaking on Good Morning Britain, he argued that the deal has failed to deliver the outcomes promised during the 2016 referendum campaign. Burnham stated that the UK ended up with a harder Brexit than initially proposed, which he said weakened the domestic economy. He also noted that the situation has not resolved the small boats crisis, a persistent issue for the government.

The Prime Minister linked the economic slowdown to the loss of free movement. He explained that the UK can no longer easily return individuals to Europe, a constraint that has complicated border management. Burnham supported Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s recent proposal to require foreign workers to wait 15 years for permanent residency. He described settlement as a right to be earned rather than automatically granted. This stance aligns with the government's tougher immigration rules, which aim to tighten control over who stays in the country.

Burnham addressed the potential for a future return to the European Union. He admitted he would like to see the UK rejoin in his lifetime, but he said he would not move ahead of public opinion. He clarified that he is not proposing rejoining the EU during the current parliamentary session. Instead, he called for practical steps to make the existing arrangement work better. He warned against major changes now, noting that such moves could benefit rival parties in constituencies that voted to leave.

The Prime Minister referenced the voting record in his own Makerfield constituency, where 65% of residents voted to leave. He maintained that the public would remain the decision makers on future Brexit steps. He rejected the idea of rerunning a referendum, stating that the government would focus on improving the current terms. This approach is designed to mitigate political risks from leaving-voting areas in northern England and the Midlands.

Looking ahead, Burnham pointed to the UK-EU summit scheduled for 20 November. He hopes the meeting will produce a deal that helps British food manufacturers, a sector he said has been hit hard by post-Brexit barriers. He also commented on the upcoming budget, describing it as a source of breathing space for people and businesses. He claimed the fiscal plan would offer a little light at the end of the tunnel, while ruling out an early general election despite favorable polling data for his party.

The Prime Minister’s remarks come as Labour MPs in leave-voting districts monitor the political fallout. Some fear that reopening the debate could create openings for Reform UK. Burnham emphasized that the government is taking a cautious approach to avoid shifting the ground too quickly. He stated that the focus remains on practical adjustments to the current framework rather than a fundamental overhaul of the UK's relationship with Europe.