Burnham on rejoining EU

In his first Labour conference speech as prime minister, Andy Burnham said Brexit had done “more harm than good” and promised to present options for Britain’s long-term relationship with the EU ahead of a summit later this year. He said those options could range from maintaining current arrangements to joining a customs union, the single market or rejoining the EU, while stressing that Labour would assess feasibility and seek consensus; any major policy change would require inclusion in the next election manifesto. Burnham linked Brexit to weaker growth and reduced cooperation on immigration, while arguing that closer ties could help Britain’s economy and industries. His speech also set out a wider reform agenda, including a tax-funded national care service, more social housing and greater public control of essential services, with changes to pension spending among the difficult choices he said may be needed to fund it. His plans reopen politically divisive debates, face opposition from Brexit supporters and leave open whether the EU would agree to new terms.