Reeves says UK’s future is inside the EU after backing Burnham’s Brexit stance
Rachel Reeves has backed Andy Burnham’s call to examine closer long-term ties with the European Union, saying Brexit has left Britain “poorer, weaker and less secure”. She said she believes the UK’s future lies in the EU, while arguing that supporters of rejoining must set out its practical benefits and plan the next steps carefully.
Burnham is seeking agreements on food and drink, emissions trading and a youth mobility scheme at a summit with the EU next month. He has said the government will explore longer-term options, but any fundamental change to post-Brexit arrangements would be for the public to decide and left to the next parliament. Ministers have been told not to promote specific outcomes while that process is under way.
In short
- Reeves says Britain’s future lies in the EU.
- She urges re-entry supporters to show its practical benefits.
- Burnham wants deals on food, emissions and youth mobility.
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The case for
Closer ties with the EU could improve trade, cooperation and security, addressing costs that Reeves says have followed Brexit. Examining practical agreements now, while setting out a careful longer-term plan and leaving any fundamental change to voters, could let the public judge the benefits with evidence.
The case against
The UK’s post-Brexit arrangements reflect a democratic decision, and changing them substantially should require a clear public mandate rather than assumptions about the country’s future. Supporters of caution can argue that ministers should assess specific proposals on their merits, weigh their costs and trade-offs, and avoid promoting a broader shift before the next parliament and electorate have considered it.
Explained simply
The UK left the European Union in 2020, ending its membership of the bloc and changing how it trades and works with EU countries. Since then, successive governments have negotiated agreements covering areas such as trade, travel and cooperation.
Andy Burnham is the mayor of Greater Manchester, while Rachel Reeves is the UK’s chancellor. Their comments concern how closely Britain should work with the EU in future, including possible agreements on food and drink, emissions trading and travel for young people.
Any move to change the UK’s overall relationship with the EU would involve political choices and could affect businesses, workers and public services. The debate also includes whether the public should have a say and when any major decision should be made.