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New EU deal worth billions must be ‘launch pad’ to rejoin bloc, Burnham told
Andy Burnham is being urged by pro-EU campaigners to use a forthcoming agreement with Brussels as a stepping stone towards the UK rejoining the European Union. The deal is expected to ease trade and expand cooperation, but campaigners say Labour should make a stronger commitment to Europe ahead of the next election.
The agreement, due to be unveiled at a summit on 20 November, is estimated to be worth 0.4 per cent of UK GDP. It is expected to remove food and drink border checks, introduce a youth mobility scheme and deepen cooperation, potentially including defence procurement. Labour says it will keep its current limits on free movement and membership of the EU, customs union or single market, while opening discussion about future options.
In short
- EU deal is estimated to be worth 0.4 per cent of UK GDP.
- Campaigners want it to pave the way for rejoining the bloc.
- Labour plans closer ties while retaining its current red lines.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Pro-EU campaigners argue that the agreement could show the practical benefits of closer integration while leaving room to go further. They say a clearer commitment to eventual EU membership would give businesses and workers greater certainty, strengthen the UK’s influence in Europe and support trade and cooperation.
The case against
Those favouring Labour’s current limits argue that the agreement can deliver useful cooperation without reopening the divisive question of EU membership. They say retaining national control over free movement and avoiding commitments to the single market or customs union respects voters’ previous choices, while allowing future options to be considered as circumstances change.
Explained simply
The UK left the European Union in 2020, ending its membership of the bloc and changing the rules for trade and travel between them. Since then, the UK and EU have negotiated agreements to manage their relationship, while some campaigners have called for closer ties or a return to membership.
The expected agreement would make some trade checks easier and widen cooperation, including through a proposed youth mobility scheme. Andy Burnham is a senior Labour politician, and pro-EU campaigners are urging him to press for closer links; Labour says it does not currently plan to rejoin the EU, customs union or single market.
The debate matters because the UK’s relationship with the EU affects businesses, workers and movement between countries. The agreement could shape that relationship, while questions about how far future cooperation should go remain politically contested.
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