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Burnham could pledge to rejoin the EU in Labour’s next manifesto, minister says
A government minister has declined to rule out a pledge to rejoin the EU appearing in Labour's next general election manifesto, raising the prospect that Andy Burnham could revisit Brexit if he leads the party into the next parliament. Minister for European relations Hamish Falconer said the government is "not talking about rejoining today" but stressed that future manifesto content "will be a question for the Labour Party", leaving the door open despite the current administration's insistence it is not seeking to reverse the 2016 referendum result.
Falconer was speaking to Sky News about how relations with Brussels might evolve following Sir Keir Starmer's earlier "reset" with the EU, saying he wanted to build on that work given how threats from Eastern Europe, economic security and disinformation have intensified. Asked about former Labour leader Neil Kinnock's recent call, made to The Independent, for Britain to rejoin the EU as the "only patriotic thing to do", Falconer said such questions were "not yet sorted" but insisted the government was "not backsliding" from the referendum outcome. Burnham has previously voiced support for rejoining the EU in principle but later said he would not pursue it, warning against a "permanent rut" of constant argument, while Kinnock has urged him not to be bound by Labour's current "red lines" ruling out the single market, customs union and free movement.
In short
- Minister won't rule out a pro-EU pledge in Labour's next manifesto
- Fuels speculation Andy Burnham could push to rejoin the EU
- Kinnock has urged Burnham to drop Labour's Brexit "red lines"
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The case for keeping the door open to rejoin rests on the principle that election manifestos should reflect current thinking about the nation's best interests, particularly when circumstances change materially. Given the intensified security threats from Eastern Europe, the economic difficulties evident since 2016, and the practical complications of post-Brexit arrangements that have become apparent, it is reasonable for Labour to consider whether EU membership now serves Britain's interests. This is not about disrespecting the 2016 referendum but recognising that electorates deserve to revisit major constitutional questions when material facts shift and to express new preferences through democratic means.
The case against
The case against pledging rejoin emphasises the importance of democratic stability and respecting the 2016 referendum result. Constantly reopening Brexit in successive manifestos perpetuates division and prevents the country moving forward on the issues voters actually prioritise. Rather than promising further constitutional upheaval, Labour should focus pragmatically on improving the current UK-EU relationship and concentrating political energy on the domestic agenda. Honouring the referendum whilst making practical improvements to existing arrangements is the path to national cohesion and moving beyond a subject that has exhausted public patience.
Explained simply
Britain voted to leave the European Union in 2016, with voters deciding on withdrawal by a small majority. The country formally left the bloc in 2020 and has since negotiated new trading relationships with Brussels, though the decision remains contentious in British politics.
The Labour Party is currently in government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Within the party, views on European Union membership have varied, with some senior figures including former leader Neil Kinnock arguing that Britain should rejoin, while Andy Burnham, a prominent Labour politician and Mayor of Manchester, has previously expressed interest in the idea.
The Labour Party publishes manifestos setting out its policies for general elections. Whether the party positions itself as supporting EU rejoin is a question with implications for British politics and the country's future relationship with Europe.
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