Burnham calls for public debate on restoring EU free movement

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called for an “honest discussion” about restoring free movement between the UK and European Union as part of a broader review of post-Brexit relations.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Burnham acknowledged that free movement had brought “very significant challenges” but said pre-Brexit migration from Europe was often temporary and also allowed British citizens to live and work elsewhere in the bloc. He said the issue should be considered alongside matters such as migration data-sharing rather than in isolation.

Burnham has previously raised options including joining the EU single market or customs union and eventually rejoining the bloc. On ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Monday, he said he would like to see the UK rejoin the EU in his lifetime but stressed that the public must decide. He ruled out rejoining before the next general election and has said fundamental changes would require an electoral mandate. He also said he could not envisage recommending adoption of the euro or membership of the passport-free Schengen area.

The comments drew support from Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, who described keeping options open as pragmatic. Conservative politicians and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage opposed reopening the issue, with Farage calling it a betrayal of Brexit voters. Some Labour MPs representing strongly pro-Brexit constituencies are also reportedly wary.

Burnham is due to meet senior EU officials at a summit in Brussels on November 20, where he is expected to present options for resetting relations with the bloc.