# Burnham denies proposing return to free movement in talks with EU

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/burnham-denies-proposing-return-to-free-movement-in-talks-with-eu/
- Published: 2026-11-03T10:09:39+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-03T23:07:27+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/nov/03/andy-burnham-labour-free-movement-eu-europe
- Topics: Europe, Government, Politics, UK, World

## Key points

- Burnham says he has not proposed restoring EU free movement.
- Labour’s manifesto rules out free movement during this parliament.
- Ministers say Brexit’s effects on migration merit discussion.

## Summary

Andy Burnham denied proposing a return to free movement between the UK and EU, saying any future Brexit settlement must reflect public opinion. He said the country should have an open discussion about how migration has changed since Brexit, while stressing that Labour’s manifesto commitments apply for this parliament.

Burnham said the November EU summit is expected to finalise agreements on food and drink, emissions trading and youth mobility, after which talks could address a longer-term relationship. The manifesto rules out returning to the customs union, single market or free movement. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also said free movement would not be reopened during this parliament, while noting that losing access to EU databases had affected migration management.

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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.