# Andy Burnham’s Brexit betrayal in full — from freedom of movement to a second referendum

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/andy-burnhams-brexit-betrayal-in-full-from-freedom-of-movement-to-a-second-referendum/
- Published: 2026-11-05T14:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T16:10:21+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Express (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2263516/andy-burnham-brexit-betrayal-migration-referendum
- Topics: Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Barnier says single-market membership requires freedom of movement.
- Burnham says any fundamental change is for the public to decide.
- The Government is examining long-term EU options for the next Parliament.

## Summary

Michel Barnier said the UK would have to accept freedom of movement to rejoin the EU single market or customs union, ruling out a bespoke arrangement. The comments sharpen debate over Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s push to examine closer ties with Brussels, which critics say risks reopening Brexit and disregarding the 2016 referendum.

Burnham has called the current UK-EU deal inadequate and said migration needs an “honest discussion”, but said he would not restore freedom of movement without a referendum. He told ministers not to advocate particular options while the Government explores long-term arrangements for the next Parliament, after which it plans to explain their merits and drawbacks to the public.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.