# Healey complicates Burnham’s bid to defer debate on closer EU ties

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/healey-risks-undermining-burnhams-bid-to-ease-brexit-splits-as-he-insists-freedom-of-movement-is-not-on-the-agenda/
- Published: 2026-10-29T09:28:05+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-29T09:47:57+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16248507/Healey-EU-Burnham-Brexit-freedom-movement-agenda.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Healey ruled out freedom of movement during this Parliament.
- He wants better Brexit terms for businesses and consumers.
- Burnham says long-term changes should be considered by the next Parliament.

## Summary

Andy Burnham’s effort to keep Cabinet ministers from taking public positions on future UK ties with the EU was complicated when Chancellor John Healey said freedom of movement was not on the agenda. Healey’s comments came amid debate over whether Labour might seek closer ties, or even rejoin the EU, after the next general election.

Healey said freedom of movement was ruled out for the current Parliament, while describing it as part of a wider discussion about securing a better Brexit deal. He said his immediate priority was next month’s European summit and negotiating better terms and lower costs for businesses. Burnham has said any fundamental change to post-Brexit arrangements would be for the public to decide and left to the next Parliament; he has also urged ministers to stay aligned in their messaging.

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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.