UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed dissatisfaction with the current Brexit agreement, stating it falls short of serving Britain’s interests. He argued that the country’s exit from the European Union has weakened the economy and complicated efforts to manage irregular migration. Despite these concerns, Burnham ruled out major changes to the UK’s relationship with the EU during the current parliamentary term.
Burnham contended that the form of Brexit delivered was harsher than what voters were promised in the 2016 referendum. He highlighted the lack of expected benefits, particularly in economic performance and immigration control. While he acknowledged he would support the UK rejoining the EU within his lifetime, Burnham emphasized that such a move must align with public opinion and is not being proposed for the current term.
Addressing immigration, Burnham noted that Brexit has made it more challenging to return individuals who enter the UK irregularly. He supported stricter settlement rules for foreign workers, advocating that permanent residency should be earned rather than automatically granted.
Looking ahead, Burnham pointed to the upcoming UK-EU summit on November 20 as a chance to reach agreements that could benefit British businesses, particularly those in the food manufacturing sector, affected by trade barriers resulting from Brexit.
His remarks come amidst varying pressures on the government regarding its stance on Europe, with some Labour representatives worried that reopening the Brexit debate could create political vulnerabilities. Burnham reiterated that the government does not intend to revisit the Brexit referendum and underscored that any future relationship with the EU should be determined by the electorate.
Burnham also dismissed the prospect of an early general election and called for the upcoming budget to provide greater economic stability for households and businesses.