# Downing Street clarifies Starmer’s position on EU free movement after Burnham’s remarks

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/pms-new-foot-in-mouth-brexit-blunder-two-weeks-after-climbdown-over-russia-and-referendum-no10-spokesman-has-to-row-back-on-burnhams-freedom-of-movement-comments/
- Published: 2026-10-27T06:26:27+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-27T06:47:41+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16240959/PM-Brexit-Russia-referendum-No10-spokesman-row-Burnhamts.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Business, Elections, Europe, Markets, Politics, World

## Key points

- Burnham’s openness to free movement conflicts with his 2016 position.
- Downing Street says the Prime Minister is not proposing its return.
- Closer EU ties could put free movement back in focus.

## Summary

Andy Burnham’s comments on restoring free movement with the EU have prompted confusion over Labour’s Brexit position. The Prime Minister said a referendum would be needed, but Downing Street later suggested the public might not be asked to vote and said he was not proposing a return to free movement.

Burnham said he wanted an “honest conversation” about the policy, despite having said in 2016 that free movement had been rejected by voters and was “not an option”. He is expected to present options for closer ties with Brussels at a UK-EU summit next month, potentially including single market and customs union membership or rejoining the EU. Diplomatic sources say rejoining would require accepting free movement; the article also notes Downing Street had to clarify the Prime Minister’s Brexit remarks earlier this month.

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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.