UK: Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to tell Parliament on Monday that rejecting a closer relationship with the European Union would be a “dereliction of duty” if an agreement beneficial to Britain can be negotiated with Brussels.
In a statement to the House of Commons, Burnham is expected to argue that Brexit has caused more harm than good and that maintaining the current arrangements is insufficient to address the country’s economic and immigration challenges.
He will say a new agreement with the EU could help strengthen economic growth and improve cooperation on illegal immigration, adding that the public would expect the government to pursue a deal if it could secure one.
The remarks follow Burnham’s pledge at the Labour Party conference last month to explore closer relations with the bloc. A UK-EU summit, originally scheduled for the summer, has been rescheduled for next month.
Government Seeks Changes to Post-Brexit Arrangements
Burnham is expected to pursue adjustments to existing UK-EU arrangements while opening broader discussions about the long-term relationship between Britain and its European neighbours.
A source at Downing Street said the government needed to move beyond the existing debate over Brexit and work towards an agreement capable of supporting economic growth.
At Labour’s conference, Burnham argued that Brexit had weakened immigration control by reducing cooperation with European partners, making it harder for the UK to address cross-border challenges.
Last month, he also told the BBC that a future Labour election manifesto could potentially include a new referendum on EU membership, although no such commitment has been confirmed in the statement outlined ahead of Monday’s parliamentary address.
Conservatives Oppose Reopening Brexit Debate
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has criticised proposals to revisit the Brexit debate, arguing that renewed uncertainty could consume political time and discourage business investment.
Speaking at her party’s conference last week, Badenoch described reopening the debate as a bad idea and warned against returning to prolonged disputes over Britain’s relationship with the EU.
The government’s position is expected to focus on whether closer cooperation can deliver practical benefits without necessarily reversing Brexit.
Burnham’s parliamentary statement comes as lawmakers return to the Commons following the recess that coincided with the party conference season. The planned UK-EU summit next month is expected to provide an opportunity to discuss changes to the current arrangements and the future direction of bilateral relations.