Prime Minister Andy Burnham is poised to tell the House of Commons today that rejecting a closer relationship with the European Union, if one can be negotiated with Brussels, would be a "dereliction of duty." In a statement to MPs on Monday, Mr. Burnham is expected to assert that it is time to "face up to the reality that Brexit has done more harm than good" and that "the status quo is not good enough for Britain."
Mr. Burnham first committed to exploring closer ties with the bloc at the Labour Party conference last month, where he also indicated that a future Labour election manifesto could potentially include a promise for a new in-out referendum on the EU. He believes that if such a relationship could be secured, "the vast majority of the public would expect us to take it."
The Prime Minister aims to secure adjustments to the existing arrangements between London and Brussels and to initiate broader discussions about the long-term relationship between the UK and its closest neighbours. A No 10 source commented, "Andy understands why some politicians don't want to face up to the reality that Brexit has not delivered what they once promised."
During his speech at Labour's conference, Mr. Burnham highlighted that "immigration control" had been "weakened by Brexit" because the UK "lost collaboration with our European partners. And we are still having to work hard to bring it back."
The House of Commons is convening on Monday for the first time since 15 September, following a recess during some of the recent party conferences. A summit between the UK and the EU, originally scheduled for the summer, was postponed after Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation. It has since been rescheduled for next month.
Conversely, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, speaking at her party conference last week, strongly opposed reopening the Brexit debate. She described it as "a terrible idea," adding, "Can you imagine having to go through that again? So much time lost, arguing with ourselves with the EU. Going round in circles, businesses not knowing whether they should invest. He wants to do it all again."
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