# Downing Street says Burnham does not propose restoring EU freedom of movement

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/no10-clarifies-burnhams-stance-on-brexit-after-he-hinted-at-return-to-freedom-of-movement/
- Published: 2026-10-26T18:03:46+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-26T18:17:21+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/oct/26/andy-burnham-brexit-eu-freedom-of-movement
- Topics: Business, Elections, Europe, Government, Markets, Politics, UK, World

## Key points

- Downing Street says Burnham has not proposed restoring freedom of movement.
- He says joining the scheme would require a referendum.
- Burnham leaves open campaigning to rejoin the EU at a future election.

## Summary

Downing Street has said Andy Burnham is not proposing a return to EU freedom of movement, after his comments prompted speculation about how far he wants the UK to move closer to Europe. The clarification came as the prime minister called for an “honest discussion” about Britain’s long-term relationship with the EU.

Burnham said he would not support joining the freedom-of-movement scheme without a referendum, and ruled out rejoining the EU during this parliament. He said he would like the UK to rejoin in his lifetime but that the public should decide; he also left open the possibility of campaigning on rejoining at the next general election. His Makerfield constituency voted 65% to leave the EU, and he is due to attend a UK-EU summit in Brussels on 20 November.

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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.