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Andy Burnham says Brexit has done the UK more harm than good. His EU comments revive debate on customs union, single market and a possible second vote.
Andy Burnham has said Brexit has done the United Kingdom more harm than good and has signalled he is willing to consider closer relations with the European Union, putting the issue of EU relations back on the UK political agenda this week. Burnham said that in terms of the current relationship, where the UK stands is not good enough. He also refused to rule out the possibility that some form of second vote on relations with the EU could appear as a proposal in a future Labour general election manifesto.
His comments drew a warm response from some European leaders, but they also triggered immediate criticism at home. Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice accused Burnham of trying to sneak the UK back into Brussels via the back door. The exchange shows that Brexit remains a deeply divisive subject in British politics.
Burnham Comments Revive Brexit Debate
Burnham was careful with his language, but observers noted that he must have known the effect his words would have. By describing the current relationship as not good enough and by leaving the door open to a second vote, he has returned the EU question to the centre of political discussion.
The course of any kind of reversal would be both difficult and slow. Britain remains divided on the issue, and much more debate is expected. That debate is likely to include a rerun of arguments over the merits and demerits of membership of the customs union and the single market, the impact on immigration, and the effect on the wider economy.
An unconditional renewed embrace of the UK by the EU cannot be expected either. The prodigal country will need to pay the price of a return ticket, European leaders have made clear, meaning that any closer relationship would come with conditions and costs.
EU Leaders Set Conditions for Closer Ties
European leaders underlined that Britain cannot pick and choose its terms. French president Emmanuel Macron responded with a welcome back, but added pointedly that the UK cannot choose between the freedoms of the union and cannot decide to take what suits it and leave the rest.
It is not quite a case of all or nothing for the UK's future relationship with the EU, but membership of the customs union, for example, requires alignment with EU trade policy and tariffs. That detail matters because it would shape how much freedom the UK would retain over its own trade deals and border arrangements.
Questions also remain over where the UK's red lines are now set. Those red lines will determine how far any future Labour government could go in seeking a closer relationship without triggering a fresh political crisis at home.
Summit Next Month to Test UK-EU Relations
Burnham's first date with the EU will be at a summit next month. Contentious issues fall to be discussed there, including how the UK would be treated under a new EU made in Europe policy.
As the lengthy Brexit negotiations showed, the mood and personal chemistry between leaders can matter, but when it comes down to dealing with the EU, it is all about the detail. The summit will offer an early indication of how far the UK and the EU are prepared to move towards each other.
For now, Burnham's remarks have achieved one clear result. They have put Brexit and the UK's future relationship with the EU back on the table, at a time when British voters remain divided and European leaders are stressing that any return would come with firm conditions attached.
Andy Burnham Brexit European Union Emmanuel Macron Customs Union Single Market Richard Tice
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