Andy Burnham has put a rethink of Brexit, including closer ties with the EU, at the centre of his proposed next Labour manifesto. The article argues that this agenda, alongside plans for a national care service, public ownership and electoral reform, makes an early general election more likely because it sits uneasily with Labour’s 2024 manifesto commitments.

The article says those commitments rule out rejoining the EU, single market or customs union, as well as free movement, and restrict tax rises to fund major policies. It describes divisions in the cabinet over Brexit, including ministers representing Leave-voting constituencies, and notes that Burnham says he will stick to the existing manifesto’s red lines. The author suggests an election as soon as next May could lead to a centre-left coalition involving Labour, the Liberal Democrats and possibly the Greens.