Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the Sunday Times he would welcome an "honest discussion" about returning to free movement between the UK and the European Union, potentially as part of a closer relationship including full EU membership or single market membership. Burnham said the type of migration had changed since the 2016 Brexit vote, moving away from "revolving door" temporary movement towards permanent settlement. "The balance of migration has changed, hasn't it, since then? I think we've just got to have an honest discussion about those things," he said. He ruled out joining the euro or Schengen.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner stated nothing should be "taken off the table" and said Burnham was urging pragmatism to secure "the best deal for Britain." Labour's 2024 election manifesto explicitly ruled out free movement, single market membership or a customs union. Burnham has said any changes would require a general election mandate, with the next election due by 2029.
Opposition parties divided sharply. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Burnham "hasn't thought this through", while Reform UK's Robert Jenrick called the idea "mad". Badenoch added most people voted Leave because they rejected free movement, and Jenrick claimed mass migration had been "a disaster for working people". Former Conservative chancellor Jeremy Hunt, a Remain backer, warned the debate was "incredibly divisive" and urged the government to make the current Brexit deal work instead. He highlighted one million young people not in work or training, suggesting they should be prioritised for jobs over new migrants.
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper supported rejoining the single market and customs union, arguing it would be "a really good thing for growth" and allow the UK access to the EU's asylum pact to address the "small boats crisis".
Burnham will pitch options for resetting UK-EU relations at an EU summit scheduled for 20 November in Brussels.