# Chancellor and Burnham at odds over Brexit: ‘We had a referendum’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/chancellor-and-burnham-at-odds-over-brexit-we-had-a-referendum/
- Published: 2026-10-29T11:39:30+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-29T14:06:49+00:00
- Original publisher: The Independent (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-rejoin-referendum-burnham-healey-budget-2026-b3075561.html
- Topics: Europe, Politics, UK, World

## Key points

- Healey disputes that EU membership would automatically mean stronger growth.
- He says Brexit has hit UK growth and trade.
- The prime minister is pursuing closer EU ties and a public discussion.

## Summary

The prime minister has reopened debate about Britain’s relationship with the EU, saying Brexit weakened the economy and that rejoining could be discussed in future. Chancellor John Healey pushed back on the claim that growth would be stronger inside the EU or single market, while acknowledging Brexit had reduced growth and trade.

Healey said the government should focus on strengthening the UK economy and making the most of its resilience. The prime minister has said Labour could consider an in-out referendum at the next election and that freedom of movement would require public approval; he is due to meet EU leaders next month to pursue agreements on food and drink, emissions trading and youth mobility. He says this approach is consistent with his earlier promise not to rerun the Brexit debate.

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