# Labour’s trade union backers revolt against Andy Burnham’s push to rejoin the EU, telling PM: ‘We can’t go back’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/labours-trade-union-backers-revolt-against-andy-burnhams-push-to-rejoin-the-eu-telling-pm-we-cant-go-back/
- Published: 2026-11-15T11:49:27+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-15T12:04:03+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16294129/Labours-trade-union-backers-revolt-against-Andy-Burnhams-push-rejoin-EU-telling-PM-back.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Europe, Government, Politics, UK, World

## Key points

- GMB and Unite oppose a full return to EU membership.
- Burnham wants a serious discussion on closer ties.
- A campaign group estimates rejoining could cost £750 million weekly.

## Summary

Andy Burnham’s call for a serious discussion about closer EU ties has met resistance from Labour’s major trade union backers, who argue the UK should not simply return to its pre-Brexit position. The disagreement highlights concern within Labour that the Government’s planned Brexit reset could lead towards rejoining the EU, despite the 2016 referendum.

GMB’s general secretary Gary Smith cautioned against full membership, citing economic and political problems in parts of Europe; Unite is reported to favour getting close to the EU without rejoining. Burnham says the UK has lost more than it gained since Brexit and wants the best possible deal. A campaign group estimates membership could cost £750 million a week, while senior EU figures say the UK would not regain its former budget rebate.

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