Burnham open to debate on restoring UK-EU free movement

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is open to an “honest discussion” about the possibility of

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is open to an “honest discussion” about the possibility of restoring free movement between the United Kingdom and the European Union, reopening a sensitive debate that shaped the 2016 Brexit referendum.

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Burnham said Britain needed a factual, evidence-based assessment of its future relationship with the EU. He suggested that closer ties could include rejoining the bloc or entering the single market, although either option would raise questions about the movement of people.

Burnham argued that migration patterns during the UK’s EU membership differed from those seen today. He said many European citizens who moved to Britain in the past were younger people who stayed for a few years before returning to their home countries. The system also allowed British citizens to live and work in other European countries more easily.

However, he acknowledged that freedom of movement had created significant challenges. He said the balance of migration had changed since Brexit and called for an open debate about the differences between previous and current migration trends.

The prime minister has previously backed Labour’s 2024 election manifesto, which ruled out restoring free movement, joining the EU single market or entering a customs union. He has also said that any major shift in Britain’s relationship with the bloc would require public approval through a general election, which must be held by 2029.

Burnham has indicated that he is willing to consider closer relations with Brussels. In a BBC interview in September, he said Britain could potentially go “all the way” towards rejoining the EU. However, he ruled out recommending that the country adopt the euro or join the Schengen Area, which allows passport-free travel between participating European countries.

His latest comments have drawn criticism from opposition politicians. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the British public had voted to end free movement in the 2016 referendum and argued that restoring it would mean giving up control over the country’s borders.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also criticised Burnham, describing his remarks as a betrayal of voters who supported Brexit. Farage rejected the suggestion that migration had been different during Britain’s EU membership and said his party would challenge the prime minister’s position.

Burnham’s comments come ahead of a planned meeting with EU leaders at a summit in Brussels on 20 November, where he is expected to discuss options for resetting relations between Britain and the bloc.

The debate remains politically sensitive, particularly in constituencies that voted to leave the EU. Makerfield, which Burnham won in a by-election in June before becoming prime minister the following month, backed Brexit in 2016. During the by-election campaign, he had promised not to reopen the Brexit debate and said he was not proposing that Britain seek EU membership again.