Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the UK could go ‘all the way’ towards rejoining the European Union — a statement made during a BBC interview following his first speech as Labour leader.
What Burnham Said
Burnham spoke to Radio 4’s Today programme after delivering his first major speech as Prime Minister at the Labour Party conference.
He said the UK has several options for its long-term relationship with the EU, including staying as it is, or moving toward full reintegration.
“There are clearly options that need to be considered,” Burnham said. “We have to look at what is doable and what would be the pros and cons of each.”
When asked about the possibility of rejoining the EU, he said: “We could go all the way towards rejoining the EU.”
Key Facts from the Statement
- Andy Burnham is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
- His remarks were made during a BBC interview on Radio 4’s Today programme.
- The comments follow his first major public speech as PM at the Labour Party conference.
- He described the current Brexit settlement as having caused “more harm than good”.
- He said the government must find consensus on the UK’s long-term position with the EU.
These statements represent a shift in tone from previous government positions, which have largely focused on maintaining a post-Brexit relationship with the EU.
Background: The Current Brexit Settlement
The UK formally left the EU under the Brexit Act. Since then, the UK has operated as a separate nation with its own trade and regulatory frameworks.
The current arrangement includes a trade and cooperation agreement (TCA) between the UK and EU, which governs areas such as goods, services, and regulatory standards.
While the TCA allows for some trade flows, it has also introduced significant friction — including delays in customs checks, divergent standards, and reduced regulatory alignment.
Many experts have noted that the economic and social impacts of the settlement have been uneven, with some sectors benefiting while others have faced disruption.
Why This Matters
Burnham’s comments signal a potential re-evaluation of the UK’s post-Brexit path.
His suggestion that rejoining the EU is a viable option — even if not immediate — reflects growing public and political interest in revisiting the original Brexit decision.
Such a move would require extensive legal, political, and economic negotiations. It would also face strong opposition from those who believe the UK should remain independent.
Video: Watch the original video report at the source
The source uses a video player that WordPress cannot safely embed automatically.
Still, the statement shows that the government is considering a broader range of options, not just maintaining the current status quo.
Limitations and Open Questions
There is no official policy or timeline for rejoining the EU. The statement does not indicate whether such a move would be legally possible, politically feasible, or economically viable.
Rejoining the EU would require a new referendum, a constitutional amendment, and agreement from all EU member states — none of which are currently under discussion.
Moreover, the UK has already established its own regulatory and trade systems. Reintegration would require substantial reforms to align these with EU standards.
Public opinion remains divided. A poll found that a minority of UK adults support rejoining the EU, while a majority believe the UK should remain independent.
What to Watch Next
Political analysts will be watching for further statements from Burnham and the Labour Party on the UK’s future relationship with the EU.
Any official discussion of rejoining the EU would likely be part of a broader review of the UK’s international commitments.
Public consultations, parliamentary debates, and potential policy proposals could follow in the coming months.
The BBC’s original video report, which includes Burnham’s remarks, is available at this link.
For more on the UK’s evolving political landscape, see our coverage of UK Trend.
For deeper analysis on Brexit’s economic impacts, explore our Businesses & Economy section.
For background on how the EU works, visit our UK Trend page.
Conclusion
Burnham’s remarks represent a rare and direct acknowledgment that the UK’s current Brexit settlement may not be optimal.
While rejoining the EU is not a near-term possibility, the statement opens a space for future policy discussion — one that may reshape how the UK views its relationship with Europe.
It also underscores the ongoing debate over whether Brexit was a necessary or sustainable decision.
Sources & further reading
Featured image: Mohamed Ashmawey + Andy Burnham – Human Appeal UK winter… by Human Appeal staff member, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Image source · License
